China’s demand for aluminium is poisoning Southeast Asia

Soaring Chinese demand for natural resources is wreaking environmental havoc throughout Southeast Asia. Driven by its internal needs to provide breakneck rates of job creation and economic growth, China’s developmental model has repeatedly abused the fickle regulatory environment of its neighbors to drive its thirst for commodities. It has made it clear that, whoever can provide, it will buy. At the behest of Chinese companies, countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia have rolled out the red carpet, with little regard for their fragile ecosystems.

Asean should ensure sustainable mineral development: Lao Deputy Prime Minister

The Lao government is focusing on the promotion of sustainable agricultural systems for food security in Asean when the country integrates with the Asean Economic Community (AEC) at the end of this year.

The Agriculture Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is hosting the 6th project partner meeting of the German Regional Cooperation project’s Asean sustainable agrifood systems (Asean SAS) initiative, which is being implemented by GIZ.

Mountains of coal sludge still threat to lives in Quang Ninh

VNS Residents clean up in Mong Duong Ward, Cam Pha City, in northern Quang Ninh Province. Heavy rains, floods and tonnes of mine sludge claimed 17 lives and caused millions of dollars worth of damage in the coal mining province. — VNS Photos Truong Vi Not until recent rain and floods claimed 17 lives and […]

Bomb Destroys Mining Company Truck

A bomb blew up a truck loaded with silicon mineral stone in Aung Myittar Ward, Namhkam Township, Northern Shan State at 7.20pm on 10 March according to Sai Ye, a local resident.

He said: “When the bomb exploded under the engine at the front of the truck some parts of the engine were destroyed but no one was injured in the accident. The truck driver is Sai Pe from Aung Myittar Ward and the explosion happened in front of his home. The explosion was very big, it caused the ground to shake. The whole town was silent after the explosion and there was almost no one on the street.”