Formosa, which runs an US$11 billion steel plant in Vietnam, sullied more than 200km of coastline, killing more than 100 tonnes of fish and devastating the environment, jobs and economies of four provinces. File photo: AFP

Vietnam halts $10.6 billion steel plant to prevent another ‘Formosa environmental incident’

Published: 1:50pm, 17 Apr 2017

Vietnam’s prime minister has halted work at a $10.6 billion steel plant on concern over its environmental impact, in an effort to prevent another “ Formosa incident ”, local media reported, citing a government statement.

Steel maker Hoa Sen Group, the plant’s investor, did not comment. The company announced plans last year for the project, a complex of more than 1,700 hectares that could produce 16 million tonnes of steel a year. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc requested related parties to clarify market demand and environmental impact, state-run Vietnam television (VTV)’s website said.

The main part of Taiwanese conglomerate Formosa's steel mill in Ky Anh district, in the central coastal province of Ha Tinh. File photo: AFP

A year ago, a steel plant run by Taiwan’s Formosa Plastics Corp was the site of one of Vietnam’s worst-ever environmental disasters. An accidental toxic-waste spill polluted more than 200 km of coastline and killed more than 100 tonnes of fish.

The Communist Party has stepped up scrutiny of investments since that incident.

In February, the government said it would not grant licenses to any projects with a high pollution risk. Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung asked the environment ministry to revise rules and to intensify inspection and supervision of projects at the investment and construction stage.

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