Bauxite mining needs careful plan: Politburo

Hanoi (VNA) - Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) is a sensitive region for
national security and defence while in the longer term its natural environment
and cultural identities also have important significance says the Party
Politburo.

The bauxite industry therefore must consider any socio-economic effects and
preserve the ecological environment while protecting national security and
defence, it says.

After discussion, the Politburo said in its announcement on April 24 that it
appreciated the opinions and contributions made by former senior leaders of the
Party and State, as well as scientists, on the endeavour.

The Politburo said the policy adopted at the ninth and 10 th Party Congresses to
tap the country's abundant bauxite resource for mining and production for domestic
use export was correct.

The aluminium industry development in the 2007-15 stage with a vision towards 2025
must take all appropriate steps and use all practical lessons and experience to
ensure the nation's immediate, long-term and sustainable interests are realised.


The Politburo decided the latest technology must be used for planned bauxite
mining and the aluminium production industry in Tay Nguyen.

Initially, construction of hydro-electric power plants is vital to provide the
extra energy needed to drive the production of better quality aluminium products.


The Party delegation to the Government must conduct a review and make adjustments
to the zoning to make them commensurate with the socio-economic requirements of
each development stage of Tay Nguyen and the country as a whole.

They must conform with the regional infrastructure development and ensure social
welfare and security while meeting the demands of the domestic and overseas
markets for industry efficiency.

The Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) will continue
working with projects located in Tan Rai and Nhan Co.

A decision on issuing any shares in the projects to foreign organisations and
individual investors is yet to be made.

The projects will use mainly domestic workers but foreign expertise will be
endorsed when necessary.

Only state-of-the-art technology will be used strict enforcement of rules for
environmental protection.

Stategic assessment reports on the environmental effects of each project must be
completed quickly so they can be included in planning. The assessment of economic
efficiency and environment effect and all other related issues of the Nhan Co
project must be reviewed to ensure it will provide good economic and environmental
results.

Following bauxite mining, land must be replenished and replanted immediately.

The local planning and zoning of the next stage will be amended and completed on
the basis of the two project's efficiency.

The Politburo said the zoning and implementation of projects in the region must be
made on the basis of overall effectiveness, including economic and social effects,
with adequate attention given to the economical use of natural resources, market
demand and product competitiveness.

Authorities should consider the environmental effects of bauxite mining and
aluminium production in the region, otherwise it would cause severe damage which
would require much work and expense to correct, the Politburo said.

The Politburo stressed it was necessary to accelerate the development of
infrastructure facilities for the region in order to meet the requirement of
bauxite mining and almunium production and to ensure the local-economic growth.


Simultaneously, adequate attention must be paid to improving the living conditions
of the Tay Nguyen ethnic minorities and preserving their cultural identities.

Local people must be recruited for the industry while foreign workers must be
employed lawfully.

To implement the Politburo conclusions, the Party delegation to the Government is
assigned to instruct ministries and branches to review and adjust the zoning work
for bauxite exploration, tapping, processing and the execution of the two
projects.

Special attention is required on the use of technology, environment protection,
land rehabilitation, reforestation compensation for re-settlement and other social
issues to ensure suitable living conditions for those displaced.

The use of foreign labourers and social order within the neighbourhood of the
projects must be well managed.

The Party delegation to the Government must report progress on the projects to the
Party Central Committee's mid-year session and also to the National Assembly this
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