VietNamNet Bridge – The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s People’s Committee has fined Pomina Steel VND4.8 billion (US$210,500) over 17 environmental violations committed by two subsidiaries over the last two years.

The Pomina 3 Steel Billet Refining Plant imported over 24 tonnes of scrap steel with impurity rates above the allowed limit in the last three years. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoang Hai

Phu My Industrial Park-based Pomina 2 Steel Joint Stock Company was found to have imported scrap steel with impurity rates exceeding the amount allowed under national environmental technical standards. The company violated 17 times and had to pay fines of VND3.4 billion.

The Pomina 3 Steel Billet refining plant was found to have imported over 24 tonnes of scrap steel with impurity rates above the allowed limit and was fined VND1.4 billion.

In addition to the fines, local authorities have also withdrawn the two Pomina subsidiaries’ environmental protection certifications, which facilitate the import of scrap steel for production. The subsidiaries’ certificates have expired and have yet to be regranted.

Steelmaking is the process for producing steel from iron ore and scrap. In steelmaking, impurities such as nitrogen, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur and excess carbon are removed from the raw iron, and alloying elements such as manganese, nickel, chromium and vanadium are added to produce different grades of steel. 

Source: VNS