VietNamNet Bridge - Experts believe that Ha Tinh province can develop its economy without having to rely on  Thach Khe iron ore mining. 

Nguyen Mai, chair of the Vietnam Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE), said that six months ago he was invited to join the advisory group set up by the Ha Tinh provincial committee of the Party. 

He told the group that Ha Tinh should not make a hasty decision on the mine, but should spend time analyzing economic efficiency, enterprises’ benefits, possible impact on the environment and benefits to the community.

Ha Tinh then consulted with specialists from the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA). After that, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) submitted a report to the government proposing to stop the mining project, citing serious impact on the environment and the lack of capital.

According to Dan tri, about 3,000 households, especially those who had to move out and haven't been offered resettlement, will lose faith in the government if there is no clear decision on the project.

Ha Tinh should not make a hasty decision on the mine, but should spend time analyzing economic efficiency, enterprises’ benefits, possible impact on the environment and benefits to the community.

However, Mai believes that the lack of capital is not an issue and that the major problem  is the impact on socio-economic development and the environment.

Mai said the area has large fallow land with deep water holes caused by exploitation. Many people have left their homes, while those still there are leading difficult lives. There are signs of a decline in underground water.

Experts have warned that salinization and desertification will occur if exploitation continues.

Environmental problems have had an impact on residential quarters. Some of Ha Tinh’s  leaders believe the province can focus on other business fields, including tourism, hi-tech agriculture and modern services.

Mai agrees that Ha Tinh has many beautiful landscapes and beaches which could be developed for tourism, including spiritual tourism.

Ha Tinh has already suffered from the Formosa environmental scandal, which affected thousands of fishermen and farmers.

In 1993-1994, the government allowed investors from Germany and Japan to conduct exploration at the mine, but the investors found a high content of tin in the ore and decided against the project. 

According to Duong Dinh Tien, chair of Thach Khe commune, about 900 households in the commune have been affected by the project, and 850 out of 1,047 hectares have been cleared for the project’s site.

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