Focus on environmental restoration after mineral exploitation

Environmental remediation and restoration after mineral exploitation is the activity of bringing the environment and ecosystems such as land, water, natural landscapes, etc. in the mineral exploitation area back to their original environmental state, meeting environmental safety standards and regulations, serving purposes that are beneficial to humans. Therefore, environmental remediation and restoration is a mandatory responsibility and obligation for every enterprise after the expiration of the mineral exploitation period.

Thanh Nhan Joint Stock Company's stone mining facility for common construction materials (Thach Khoan commune, Thanh Son district) complies with environmental laws in mineral mining activities.

Phu Tho has not much mineral reserves, the economic value of each type is not high, mainly construction materials and some other minerals such as: Iron, kaolin, mica with small scale, scattered. Currently, the whole province has over 100 mining licenses under the licensing authority of the Provincial People's Committee that are still valid. In addition, there are 14 mines under the licensing authority of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

With the view of sustainable development goals, not trading the environment for purely economic development; improving the efficiency of State management of minerals, environmental protection in mineral exploitation activities has contributed significantly, becoming a driving force for socio-economic development, making Phu Tho one of the top localities in the Northern Midlands and Mountains region. However, besides the socio-economic achievements, the province has been and is under pressure on the environment and society due to the impact of mineral exploitation activities. Therefore, the province continues to pay attention to and direct the work of environmental protection and restoration for sustainable development.

Comrade Nguyen Khac Dinh - Head of the Department of Minerals and Water Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environment said: In addition to strengthening propaganda to raise awareness for relevant organizations and individuals in complying with legal regulations on environmental protection in mineral exploitation, in management work, right from the stage of project appraisal and approval, the Department has focused on appraising environmental impact assessment reports, environmental restoration and rehabilitation deposit plans, environmental protection infrastructure and solutions to minimize environmental pollution impacts.

Along with that, management work is focused on with many synchronous solutions, such as: Advising the Provincial People's Committee to issue documents directing and guiding the implementation of the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020; strengthening inspection and examination of compliance with legal regulations on environmental protection of enterprises operating in the field of mineral exploitation.

In particular, organizations and individuals (mine owners) are required to fulfill their obligations to close mines and restore the environment for areas and projects whose mining licenses have expired. Currently, the province has 34 licenses that must close mines, of which 14 licenses have closed mines and restored the environment, returning land to the locality; 116 projects have deposited funds for environmental restoration, of which 102 projects have paid in full by 2023 with a budget of over 57 billion VND. The whole province also has 126 projects with approved plans and proposals for environmental improvement and restoration.

The actual management process in the area shows that there are still some difficulties and challenges encountered in the work of restoring and protecting the environment after exploiting mineral resources. Comrade Dao Ngoc Ky - Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thanh Thuy district said: The cause of the difficulties in environmental protection work in mineral exploitation is that the staff in charge of environmental management, especially the staff at the commune, ward and town levels, is still small, basically not professionally trained in minerals and the environment, mainly holding part-time positions, so the strengthening of inspection and supervision work is sometimes confusing and untimely. Some businesses in the process of operation are often more concerned with the issue of profit, so investment in environmental protection work has not been focused on...

In order to achieve the highest efficiency in environmental protection in mineral exploitation, in the coming time, the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment will continue to tighten the appraisal work, requiring environmental protection in planning, plans, programs and development projects. Require enterprises to prepare dossiers to apply for Environmental Licenses, pay attention to environmental protection during and after mineral exploitation. Continue to closely coordinate with central and local ministries, branches to organize inspections of compliance with legal regulations on environmental protection. In particular, strictly handle violations of environmental protection laws; resolutely suspend activities according to the provisions of law in cases of serious violations; improve the quality of training and professional development for staff working in environmental management at all levels...

Le Oanh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/chu-trong-phuc-hoi-moi-truong-sau-khai-thac-khoang-san-222600.htm