Lao Dong Newspaper received feedback from people in Hong Phong and Phu Xa communes of Cao Loc district about the fact that for many years now, hundreds of households have had to live in pollution caused by the mining and crushing of stone at Hong Phong quarry.
On November 28, present at the above mentioned area, according to the reporter's records, from the mining, transportation, crushing of stone, making of three-ring bricks, the machinery rumbled throughout the area. Dust from these activities covered the branches and blades of grass in a white layer, then floated in the air. Notably, the quarry is next to the inter-commune road of Phu Xa, Hong Phong connecting to National Highway 1B, but the stone crushing and screening activities are also here, without even a piece of wall separating the material gathering area from the road.
Every day, 3-4-axle trucks follow each other through potholes, kicking up dust. Occasionally, a few small stones fall from the truck bed onto the road.
Sharing with reporters, Mr. Hoang Van Tung - a resident of Son Phu hamlet, Phu Xa commune, Cao Loc district said: "This quarry has been operating here for about 30 years. Previously, they exploited at the quarry and crushed it directly, but now they exploit it in another mountain about 100m away and then transport it back to the old quarry for processing."
According to local people, the mining, processing and transportation activities of Hong Phong quarry have significantly affected people's lives as they have to live in the polluted air with dust and smoke emitted from the quarry every day.
"Every early morning, late afternoon or on cloudy days, the dust cannot fly up, it condenses like a layer of fog, glooming the entire border area between Hong Phong and Phu Xa communes. What we are most concerned about is that this quarry is less than 500m from Phu Xa Commune Primary and Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities. Every day, students and teachers have to inhale dust and smoke from the quarry. In the long run, we are extremely concerned about the health of our children and the people in this area," said Mr. Tung.
It is worth mentioning that not only does this quarry make people suffer because of dust and smoke, it also works through the night, causing noise pollution.
Pointing to the area where the stone crushers are operating about 100m from his house, Mr. Nong Van Trieu (a resident of Tinh Che village, Hong Phong commune) said: "Previously, the quarry operated from 5am to 5pm every day. However, starting from 2024, the stone crushers and trucks will operate around the clock. We have made many requests about the quarry's operating hours but they have not been resolved yet."
According to Mr. Trieu, there are nights when the sound of the crusher and the sound of 3-4-axle trucks carrying rocks back and forth startles his family awake.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Hoang Van Huan - Chairman of the People's Committee of Hong Phong commune - said that the authorities have repeatedly handled the Hong Phong quarry due to dust and noise pollution.
Regarding the day and night operation, the commune has not received any feedback. However, the commune People's Committee leaders will discuss with the enterprise to verify the information and have a solution.
"Regarding the inter-commune road of Phu Xa and Hong Phong, which is also the road leading to the mine, currently only a few small sections have been paved with concrete. When heavy trucks come to buy goods, they drag mud and dirt, which also significantly affects the lives of the people. Not only on that road, but also causes dust on National Highway 1B" - Mr. Huan informed.
It is known that Hong Phong stone quarry is managed by Hong Phong Company Limited (Hong Phong commune, Cao Loc district) and has been operating since the 1990s.
