Gold smoke covers the entire area
The Feromangan refinery located in Nam Loat hamlet, right next to National Highway 3, has recently been said to have continuously emitted yellow smoke into the environment, directly affecting the daily life and agricultural production of the area.
Recorded by the reporter at noon on August 11, the factory is in operation. From a large chimney, a burst of yellow smoke is continuously emitted into the air. In particular, when there is a wind, smoke quickly spreads throughout the area, covering people's houses and surrounding fields.
Inside the factory premises, many piles of ores are piled directly on the ground, next to large puddles of water. What is worrying is that these locations are located right next to a stream flowing through the area - an important water source for irrigation of the people of Nguyen Hue commune. The lack of strict management of waste and wastewater risks seriously affecting water quality and threatening crops.
A local resident shared that this factory started operating in 2021, then stopped for a while and is now re-producing.
"Every time they do it, they bring dust and yellow smoke. Seeing that scene, everyone is worried about their health and the environment" - this person expressed.
Previously required to stop operations to fix the environment
It is known that in 2021, the Feromangan Refinery invested in and tested by Nam Mo Trading Enterprise caused many reflections on the negative impact on the environment. Faced with public pressure, in March of the same year, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Cao Bang province issued an official dispatch requesting enterprises to stop trial operation of waste treatment works to review, evaluate and implement plans to improve and supplement the environmental treatment system.
However, up to now, when the factory is resumed, the smoke and dust situation and the risk of pollution have not been completely resolved. Many people question the effectiveness and extent of compliance with the remedial measures that businesses have committed to.
Talking to reporters, Mr. Hau Van Khanh - Chairman of the People's Committee of Nguyen Hue commune - said that the authorities have grasped information about the factory's operations.
"Every time we pass by, we see smoke and dust from the factory. However, because the commune has just merged and the workload is large, we will soon organize an inspection and review of this issue" - Mr. Khanh said.
People in Nam Loat hamlet expressed their opinions, hoping that the authorities would direct businesses to completely handle the dust situation. If not thoroughly treated, emissions and waste from Feromanganese dredging activities could accumulate in the air, soil and water, causing long-term impacts on public health.
I hope that the authorities will quickly intervene, conduct inspections and assessments of pollution levels, and at the same time force businesses to strictly implement measures to treat waste and emissions in accordance with regulations.
Continuous monitoring and publicizing inspection results will help people feel more secure, avoiding the risk of prolonged pollution affecting public health and the living environment of the area.
