Strong measures needed

(Baonghean) - There are currently 22 places exploiting placer gold in the province, mainly on Lam River and Hieu River in Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong and Quy Chau districts. In particular, in addition to the two enterprises, Hai Long Company Limited and Lang Son Mineral Exploitation and Import-Export Company Limited, which are licensed to exploit placer gold on the river, the rest are operating illegally. In addition, the whole province has more than 160 places exploiting and trading sand and gravel along rivers and canals. In particular, the main activities are opening wharves and yards for gathering, exploiting, transporting, trading and storing river sand illegally.

According to the report of the Department of Transport Inspectorate, 100% of sand and gravel mining sites are currently illegal and uncontrolled. It is worrying that in some localities, the protection of mineral resources has not received due attention, coordination in inspection and handling of violations is irregular and not strict, leading to violations in exploitation, causing negative impacts on the environment, ecology, and the risk of landslides along the two river banks. Relevant sectors need to take strong measures to rectify and strictly handle violations so that riverbed exploitation activities can be carried out in an orderly manner, limiting negative impacts on the environment, changing the flow, and landslides along the riverbanks.

KL