Beijing (CNS) – An announcement listing 15 Chinese rare-earth enterprises environmentally approved at the national level was released by the Ministry of Environmental Protection on November 24. The ministry requires provincial governments to supervise and manage any unlisted rare-earth enterprises.
China's rare-earth mining industry is notorious for its environmental contamination and ecological destruction. At present, over 300 rare-earth enterprises are scattered over the Chinese mainland including parts of Inner Mongolia, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Fujian, Hunan, Guangxi, Sichuan and Shandong.
Unqualified rare-earth mining enterprises have emitted plenty of radioactive waste already, and most are still unable to handle proper waste treatment, said ministry spokesman Tao Detian.
The announcement requires relevant governmental organs to track down unqualified rare-earth mining enterprises and make sure the penalties are in line with regulations and laws. As for the unlisted enterprises, local governments are not allowed to sponsor them or issue any supporting documents for their operation.
