Premier Lin Chuan said today that after amendments to the Mining Act are passed, all mines that lack environmental impact assessments (EIA) must undergo a supplementary assessment, including Asia Cement Corporation mines.
The premier was responding to recent widespread concern about Asia Cement Corporation's mining rights, and Executive Yuan Spokesperson Hsu Kuo-yung said the premier held discussions today with the relevant government agency heads to address this issue.
Hsu also said that Asia Cement's development activities were approved over 40 years ago when there were no EIA-related laws or regulatory system. So after the amended Mining Act is passed, mines not previously assessed will undergo supplementary EIAs as required by law.
Hsu also said that the Executive Yuan will submit the draft amendments to the Mining Act as soon as possible, and the requisite supplementary EIAs will be carried out as soon as the bill is passed.