The central government launched a campaign yesterday to deal
with environmental concerns in mining areas, particularly in
regions where the number of public complaints is growing.
Irresponsible mine operators who put profit ahead of sustainable
development are causing increasingly severe environmental problems
by ignoring standards and requirements, said the State
Environmental Protection Administration’s (SEPA’s) Liu Youbin.
SEPA, the Ministry of Land and Resources and the State
Administration of Work Safety will jointly conduct the campaign
until September. It will focus on vulnerable regions where mining
is prohibited, such as water sources, nature reserves and scenic
spots.
The investigators aim to check environmental threats to life and
property as well as wastage of the country’s limited mineral
resources, Liu said.
Part of the impetus for the campaign is China’s shortage of
resources. Carried by the momentum of its fast-growing economy,
China has become a major international buyer of oil and other
minerals, like copper.
Officials believe that some of those purchases could be
curtailed. Old technologies used in many mines, especially private
and rural collective ones, have resulted in a mineral utilization
rate much lower than the world’s average.
According to Liu, the ultimate aim of the campaign is to put out
of business every mine operator found violating environmental
polices.
Mines without proper licenses will be shut down while licensed
mines will be required to meet environmental requirements.
“Unqualified” mines will have their electricity and water
supplies cut off by commercial and industrial authorities.
Liu said that the campaign should bring home the importance of
environmental impact assessments, making clear the fact that
efforts to safeguard ecosystems cannot be secondary to bolstering
profits.
(China Daily May 26, 2004)