Some 10 of the 90 Kampong Speu province mining companies ordered to stop have been permitted to resume operations after meeting guidelines laid out by authorities, a Ministry of Mines and Energy official told The Post on Tuesday.
The firms were earlier ordered to cease work for a week for failing to repair roads that their vehicles had damaged, as well failing to water roads to keep dust down and improve technical procedures.
Yos Monirath, director-general of the General Department of Mineral Resources at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, said most of the remaining companies were trying to fulfil the requirements, while some had entirely ignored them.
The ministry and relevant officials would further monitor firms that did not follow the guidelines and would revoke their licences if they continued to not meet standards, he said.
“The cessation of operations for one week occurred between March 11 and 18, but some mining companies had been abiding by the guidelines so they were allowed to operate within those dates,” Monirath said.
He added that the ministry and relevant officials would further monitor the activities of all companies to ensure they followed the law and reduced the impact of their operations on local people and the environment.
Kampong Speu provincial governor Vei Samnang told The Post on Tuesday that during the week of ceased operations, many mining companies across the province had worked hard to meet the guidelines.
More than 10 mining companies had successfully improved operating standards and had been permitted to operate again. Those that failed to meet standards had been frequently visited by officials.
Some firms had repaired roads their lorries had damaged, as well as watered roads and gravel loads to keep dust down, but were yet to meet the standards. Those that did not meet standards had not yet received permission to resume operating.
“Regarding the few companies that have not followed the guidelines, the ministry will inspect their operations again, and if any irregularities are found, they will have their licence revoked and their business will be shut down entirely,” Samnang said.
