Rectifying mineral activities for construction materials

(Baonghean.vn) -Implementing the plan to monitor the compliance with the law on the management and protection of mineral resources, on the morning of April 17, the Economic - Budget Committee led by Mr. Tran Quoc Chung - Deputy Head of the Economic - Budget Committee of the Provincial People's Council continued to have a working session with the Department of Construction. Also participating were comrades Le Minh Thong - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Chairman of the Provincial Party Inspection Committee; Pham Anh Tuan - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial Labor Federation and a number of other members.

The monitoring delegation discussed with the leaders of the Department of Construction.

Performing the state management function, in 3 years (2011 - 2013), the Department of Construction has advised the Provincial People's Committee on 60 documents related to the licensing of mineral exploration and exploitation for construction materials; 9 documents to rectify organizations and individuals engaged in mineral exploitation and processing activities. The Department has also provided opinions on the basic design for 70 investment projects on mineral exploitation and processing for construction materials so that investors can choose appropriate design solutions, ensuring safety and economic efficiency. As of December 2013, in the province, there are 124 investors licensed to exploit and process minerals that are still valid, including 96 licenses for stone exploitation; 8 for sand and gravel exploitation; 21 for land leveling exploitation; 8 for brick and tile clay mines; 1 for basalt mine.

At the meeting, the members of the monitoring delegation informed about a number of issues that the delegation had noted through practical monitoring in the districts, and at the same time requested the Department of Construction to clarify. That is, currently, the situation of illegal mining, especially sand and gravel, is quite complicated; basic investigation work, determining reserves in licensed mines is not accurate, leading to the management of mining according to the license not being guaranteed; the situation of mining not following the basic design process, the risk of unsafe mining in mines is common...

According to the leaders of the Department of Construction, the Provincial People's Committee has approved the Planning for exploration, exploitation and processing of minerals for construction materials in the province until 2020. This is one of the bases for effectively managing mineral activities for construction materials in the province. However, the planning process has many limitations in terms of scientific level, investment costs and implementation time. This leads to the situation where resources are included in the planning in an incorrect order compared to reality; the mineral bodies included in the planning have not been determined by coordinates and straight lines; some types of minerals such as sand, gravel and landfill have been planned but have not met the needs of socio-economic development.

The monitoring team requested the Department of Construction to review and advise the Provincial People's Committee to adjust and supplement the planning for mining and processing of minerals for common construction materials in the province until 2020. Strengthen coordination with relevant sectors and local authorities to rectify illegal mining and processing of minerals for construction materials, mining not in accordance with technical procedures, labor safety violations and waste of resources.... Some problems and limitations will be summarized by the monitoring team to propose to the Provincial People's Council and People's Committee to remove.

Minh Chi