Nearly 920,000 cubic metres of mud and soil will be dredged and then dumped in the sea to construct the Vinh Tan 1 Coal Power Plant, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Thousands of cubic metres of sand and oil to be dredged to build the harbour

Vinh Tan 1 is one of five coal power plants to be built in Binh Thuan. The five plants will have a capacity of 5,600 MW and Vinh Tan 1 is expected to be the biggest coal powered plant in Vietnam.

In order to build the harbour for the plant, Vinh Tan 1 Power Company will need to dredge nearly 920,000 cubic metres of mud and soil. The company proposed to dump the waste in the sea.

The provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment also said treating the waste on land was not feasible as Tuy Phong District didn't have enough space and there was a belief it could cause saline intrusion.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment quickly set up an appraisal board consists of 22 experts in environment, the management board of Hon Cau Island and the authorities of Binh Thuan Provinces and agencies to assess the problem.

On June 23, the ministry gave its approval to the proposal. The company must strictly follow the procedures and measures to protect the environment.

80% of the mix is sand, 20% is mud and the rest are mostly seashells and gravel. It is said they do not contain toxic or radioactive substances. 

It will be dumped into a 30-hectare sea area in Vinh Tan Commune, 8km away from Hon Cau Marine Protected Area, by the barges. Silt protectors will be used to prevent diffusion of pollution into the sea.

The dumping is only allowed to be carried out from June to October when the winds arrive from the south-west will blow possible pollutants away from the marine protected area and the aqua farms. 

According to the authorities, the dumping ground is 36.1 metres deep while the Hon Cau Marine Protected Area is only 5 to 10 metres deep so it's unlikely that the dumped waste will affect the protected area.

The ministry said the dumping and the water quality must be monitored closely. Vinh Tan 1 Power Company must halt all activities and quickly find solutions if the water quality worsens. It will also take responsibility if oil spills or other pollution occurs.

dtinews