The Ministry of Mines and Energy has suspended the licences of 90 mining companies across Kampong Speu province for a week for failing to properly repair and water roads, tormenting residents with clouds of dust.
Yos Monirath, General Department of Mineral Resources director-general at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, warned that companies would have their licenses revoked if they failed to follow the ministry’s directives.
Firms failing to properly follow the ministry's directives will be assigned an inspection team to further monitor their operations. After an initial one-week suspension, companies can be stripped of their licences and shut down, Monirath said on Sunday.
“Some truck drivers drive too fast through towns, sending clouds of dust everywhere and damaging roads, meaning their companies are seriously violating regulations,” Monirath stressed.
Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem on Friday said ministry officials had met with mining and construction companies across the province. While he praised some firms for following the ministry's directives, he said others were not doing so.
“All mining lorries must drive slowly and separately in towns from 6am to 6pm so as not to unduly disturb the residents. I request all companies involved to contribute to the repair of roads damaged by their vehicles,” he said.
Hun Many, the National Assembly Member for Kampong Speu province, inspected the sites concerned with a ministerial working group last Monday.
He said: “Despite making agreements at a meeting on March 1 between relevant parties and the representatives of the mining companies in Kampong Speu province’s Phnom Sruoch district, our working groups have observed that some companies are continuing with activities contrary to the spirit of the agreements which were made.”
In a response to such activities, provincial authorities and representatives from the Ministry of Mines and Energy on March 4 suspended six companies, revoking their one-week operational licenses as a warning, he said.
“The working groups would like to express their thanks to the relevant authorities for taking firm and timely action."
“They would also like to thank the business owners who have implemented the agreements that were made. The working groups will continue to monitor the companies concerned," Many said.
