Lao Cai seeks solutions for mining, hydroelectric enterprises

There are now 18 eligible enterprises operating at 24 mining sites in Lao Cai and they have been implementing projects in accordance with the approved planning. During operations, most of the businesses have been encountering difficulties in site clearance, legal procedures for land-related issues, and waste disposal. Others have problems in financial imbalance, resulting in difficulties in correcting technologies.

Lao Cai Province is rich in mineral resources - photo: Bich Hop

In the field of hydropower, there are 73 existing hydropower projects in Lao Cai with a total capacity of over 1,148 MW. Seven other projects are under construction with a total installed capacity of 87.1MW; and 12 others have been approved with a total installed capacity of 107MW...

As for a number of hydropower projects from 2012 and earlier, the appraisal and approval of technical designs falls under the authority of investors, leading to inconsistent technical specifications in related documents. Some projects are still having problems with land lease, site clearance and compensation while others are lagging behind schedule.

At the conference, businesses informed participants about the difficulties and obstacles they are encountering during their project implementation process and in production and business activities. For example, currently, some mining sites are not operating at their designed capacity or there are mines that have not been put into operation as scheduled due to difficulties in site clearance, compensation, land lease, relocation of resettlement areas, conversion of forest use purpose for disposal sites, interrupted resource of material for production, unstable ore quality, and high prices of ores.

Leaders of departments, sectors and localities discussed and answered issues that businesses reported on administrative procedures (investment, construction, environment, minerals); site clearance; input of raw materials for production, and output of products.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee Hoang Quoc Khanh speaks at the conference - photo: Lao Cai portal

Standing Vice Chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee Hoang Quoc Khanh affirmed that enterprises operating in the industrial sector are the pillar in the local economic development. Therefore, relevant sectors and localities will soon propose solutions to remove difficulties for businesses to ensure a smooth supply of raw materials for their operations. Local authorities also need to pay attention to site clearance compensation in the fastest and most appropriate manner. The provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment and investors will coordinate closely with local authorities to provide a specific and appropriate roadmap for the task.

Regarding investment, the provincial Department of Planning and Investment is the agency that receives and provides specific guidance to businesses on granting investment certificates in a set period of time. Regarding the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, those units which are in charge of mineral resource exploitation will continue to review contents of mineral mining, review each project, and seek ways to solve difficulties and problems for businesses.