Construction at the Nhan Co aluminum factory in Dak Nong Province.

National Assembly (NA) representatives continue to lament the lack of oversight on bauxite mining they say is ruining the Central Highlands’ environment.

In November, 2007, the government approved a two-project bauxite mining initiative in the Central Highlands provinces of Lam Dong and Dak Nong.

Representative Bui Dinh Xuan suggested that NA committees monitor the two bauxite projects more closely.

He said the assembly needed accurate reports on the projects’ impacts.

Several delegates at the group discussions Thursday proposed that the government have reports on the bauxite mining projects ready this week.

“We should continue with the projects only once we are able to control the pollution,” said Khai.

Representative Le Van Cuong said the mining was damaging not only the environment, but also the quality of life among local residents.

The assembly should consider the projects’ social and security impacts alongside their economic implications, he said.

“Bauxite mining is not a bad thing to do,” representative Nguyen Viet Lenh said. “However, we are interested in environment and are worried about waste treatment.”

Reported by Bao Van