The Environment Impact Assessment Report for the proposed Asphalt Mixing Plant to be built in Lami by China Railway No.5 Engineering Group (Fiji) Ltd is still with the Department of Environment awaiting approval.
Asphalt Plants mix gravel and sand with crude oil to make the asphalt used to pave roads.
Fijivillage can confirm that the Environment Impact Assessment Report has been reviewed and is now being vetted by a Senior Environment Officer before it is given to the Director Environment.
The 60 page EIA report was submitted to the Department of Environment on 16th December last year. It was prepared by former Director of Environment Epeli Nasome who now runs E. Nasome Environment Consultant Services.
There has been a strong objection to the project by Lami residents as dust from the transportation and heating of materials, noise from plant operation, wastewater and liquid waste from workers’ washings and toilet use as well as solid waste should be expected if the project goes ahead.
They are also concerned about the toxic chemicals released to the air during production.
Fijivillage understands that the nearest house located near the proposed plant would be less than a kilometre away.
China Railway No.5 Engineering Group (Fiji) Ltd is proposing to develop the Asphalt Mixing Plant on land subleased from the Tianjie Cement Factory site in Wailekutu, Lami.
This will comprise of an asphalt plant production site, silo storage, aggregate bin storage area, site office, weighbridge, and internal access ways.
