Long Son iron project stirs up public concern

Information about the "great project" of Long Son Iron and Steel Complex and its specialized port has caused public concern in the central province of Binh Dinh about the risk of environmental pollution and damage to natural landscapes and relics.

Ho Thi Lanh, a resident of Lo Dieu village, Hoai My commune, Hoai Nhon township – where the complex is expected to be based, said the project would affect local livelihoods dependent on offshore fishing.

Tran Minh Cong, another villager, said that Lo Dieu is home to beautiful beaches and a historical site where no-number ships serving the reunification of the country anchored during the war before April 1975.

“Why don't provincial authorities allow a tourism project for sustainable development instead of a steel one?” he claimed, saying locals want provincial leaders to consider the project carefully.

According to Nguyen Trong Vien, head of the village’s front affairs board, the village currently has 563 households with more than 3,000 members, mainly living on offshore fishing, agriculture and forestry. It also owns 180 fishing boats, including 68 offshore vessels.

"People support the province’s policies, but their livelihoods and health must be guaranteed,” he said.

At a recent session of the provincial People's Council, Nguyen Tuan Thanh, permanent vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the project has just received in-principal approval.

The People's Committee has carefully considered project implementation, he said, adding that technology and environmental impact appraisals will be scrutinized by central agencies including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Ministry of Science and Technology.

"After that, reports would be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval. The project must strictly follow all investment procedures, not affect the environment, and obtain local consent," Thanh said.

Currently, the project is in a survey process, so its impacts have not been counted. But in principle, it should not affect the scenic spots and historical relic site of Lo Dieu, he affirmed.

In 2022, the provincial People's Committee approved in principle the project of Long Son Iron and Steel Complex and its specialized port invested by Long Son Phu My Steel JSC, a provincial firm.

As planned, the complex would span 468 hectares, with a total capital of VND53.5 trillion ($2.28 billion). The project consists of three investment phases, with a total capacity of 5.4 million tons per year. Once operational, it would produce high-quality, construction and rolled steel products.

Simultaneously, the investor will fund the construction of Hoai Nhon Port, covering around 497 hectares of land and seawater surface. It is designed to become a specialized port serving complex manufacturing, with a total investment of about VND10 trillion ($426 million).