(VientianeTimes) Environment officials are urging the careful and effective use of natural resources to avoid severe environmental and social impacts.

Officials expressed their concerns on the issue yesterday at a national workshop focusing on lessons learned from the implementation of environmental and social safeguards of investment projects in the energy and mining sectors.

“The appropriate steps should be taken to target economic growth of 8 percent over the coming five years by increasing productivity and product quality, reducing pollution, promoting creativity and use of environment-friendly technology, building human security and sustainable development,” President of the National Environment Committee Mr Asang Laoly said.

According to Mr Asang, targeting economic growth of 8 percent over the next five years will require large investment in the national economy, with investment in natural resources particularly expected to increase.

Minister of Energy and Mines Dr Soulivong Daravong said the energy and mining sectors have significantly contributed to the nation’s socio-economic development and are involved in village and village group development throughout the provinces, aiming to gradually improve the livelihoods of communities with regards to environmental and social safeguarding.

As of February this year, there were 69 energy projects, of which 14 were operating commercially, while as of April 268 mining projects had been authorised and 85 were operational.

Minister to the Government’s Office Ms Khempheng Polsena said Laos’ abundant natural resources should be used to the country’s advantage, although this poses a great challenge.

She said the pattern of national economic growth over the past five years has clearly shown that Laos’ economic growth is fragile and relies mostly on natural resources. The energy and mining projects proving to be models of environmental and social safeguarding include Nam Theun 2, Theun-Hinboun Expansion Project, and Xepon Gold and Copper Mining.

Even though some mining projects have become models in terms of environmental and social protection, small- scale gold mining practices continue to spread, especially alluvial gold mining which involves the use of harmful chemicals.

“Alluvial gold mining using chemicals that are harmful to the environment and human health is still spreading and there is no effective management mechanism,” Ms Khempheng said.

Ms Khempheng, the former head of the Water Resources and Environment Authority, admitted there are many challenges to achieving ideal environmental practices, particularly as the authorisation

of environment certificates cannot be completed quickly enough due to a lack of skilled and qualified experts to conduct environmental impact assessment reports, and there being too few legal experts to negotiate concession agreements in the national interest.