Vinacomin: only earthquake can break red-mud reservoir in Central Highlands

VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Thanh Liem, Head of the Aluminium-Bauxite Division under the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) has reaffirmed after his visit to the Central Highlands to again survey the site for bauxite project that only an earthquake can break the red-mud reservoirs here.

Mr Nguyen Thanh Liem

The recent red-mud spill in western Hungary, which forced hundreds of local residents out of their homes, and contaminated the soil and decimated wildlife, has raised the concerns about bauxite mining project in Vietnam. However, Vinacomin, the investor of the bauxite project in the Central Highlands has once again reaffirmed the sturdiness of the red-mud reservoir.

As far as I know, Vinacomin has checked the design and re-programmed the reservoirs to store the red mud for the use in the bauxite project in the Central Highlands. Please tell us how far has the process progressed since the red-mud spill in Hungary?
The committee in charge of bauxite project under Vinacomin has immediately checked all the design with Chinese contractors.In general, the solutions to ensure the safety of red-mud reservoirs meet the standards set by Vietnam and China.

The red-mud reservoirs designed for the Lam Dong bauxite-aluminium complex have the capacity big enough to contain red mud for 36 years. The first reservoir is expected to cover an area of 110 hectares which will have the capacity of 8,350,000 cubic metres, enough for containing red mud for 15 years. The second one, 209 hectares and 11,420,000 cubic metres, will be enough for 15 years. It is estimated that 1.42 million tons of red mud will be released every year.

However, people still fear that the reservoir may crack, and a disaster like the one in Hungary may occur in Vietnam. And they have every reason to worry . The technology used in Hungary seems to be the same as the one used in bauxite factories in Vietnam?
We have checked the project design and found out that the conditions are different in Hungary and Vietnam. We believe that with our reservoir design, it will be impossible for red mud to spill into the valley

The red-mud reservoir of the two projects in the Central Highlands will be located 700 metres above the sea level, and in the region where flash flood and landslides occur regularly. Has Vinacomin anticipated this?
The red-mud reservoirs in the Central Highlands are located on the “Dead valley” and in the region with small basin, which is far from residential quarters and big river network. Water only appears when it rains, while there is no water flowing in from outside. The red mud spill only occurs when there are earthquakes. Besides, there is a risk that after the reservoirs stop operating, the water resistant layers may be damaged, and rain water will get through them to polluting the underground water.

Some scientists have said that in order to avoid risks, it would be better to build bauxite factories in territorial waters. What do you think?
I think it is a good idea. In fact, if we process ores in the Central Highlands, we have to carry materials and products here and there, and this will surely affect the environment and require higher transport costs.

Besides, sea salt will help neutralize red mud, and it will be easier to treat wastes and mud.

Where will the products go?
To date, three partners from Japan, China and the Middle East have expressed their interest in Vietnam’s bauxite products.