NGHE AN — Companies found violating environmental protection and minerals exploitation regulations would be suspended from operation beginning March 20 by the Nghe An Province People's Committee, said Phan Binh Trach, deputy head of the committee's office.

Issuance of mineral exploitation licences to companies was temporarily suspended beginning on March 1, Trach said.

The committee asked the provincial Natural Resources and Environment Department to re-investigate 12 licences issued in the last year to companies that have yet to carry out their exploitation activities.-VNS