The Government requires strict handling of illegal sand and gravel mining.

(Baonghean.vn) – The demand for sand and gravel mining for basic construction and infrastructure is increasing, and violators are using all methods and tricks to violate the law.

According to statistics, the country currently has 824 licensed sand and gravel mines. Since 2016, there have been over 90 dredging and clearing projects for maritime and inland waterways to collect sand products approved by the Ministry of Transport. In addition, there are many dredging and waterway improvement projects approved by the Provincial People's Committee on waterways managed by the Provincial Department of Transport.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh presided at the Hanoi end. Photo: TH

The whole country has more than 50 certificates.Business license for gathering and transiting sand granted by competent authorities. Besides, there are hundreds of yards

Spontaneous activities without permission from competent authorities or only with land lease contracts from commune or ward levels...

Following the Government's direction, localities have increased their measures to combat illegal sand mining, so the situation has decreased.

After 1 year of implementing Plan No. 102/KH-BCA-C41, the police at all levels have coordinated to patrol, detect, arrest and handle 4,374 cases with 2,917 subjects, the number of violating vehicles seized is over 1,000 vehicles and equipment; more than 10,000m3 of sand of all kinds were seized, and more than 3,600m3 of sand was restored. The total amount of fines paid to the state budget is over 41.7 billion VND. Cases were filed to prosecute 2 cases of violating state regulations on resource exploitation according to Article 172 - Penal Code.

Panoramic view at Nghe An bridgehead. Photo: TH

However, the situation of law violations in illegal sand and gravel exploitation of riverbeds and estuaries is still complicated, causing loss of resources, negative impacts on the environment, traffic safety, dykes, loss of state budget revenue, affecting security and order, waterway traffic safety and is one of the causes of riverbank erosion.

Taking advantage of the strong direction of the Prime Minister, ministries, branches and localities in preventing illegal sand and gravel mining, there has been speculation and hoarding of sand to raise prices for profit, causing market disorder and difficulties for management.

In Nghe An, although departments and localities have strengthened management and prevention of illegal sand and gravel mining, violations of the law in this field are still complicated. Recently, implementing the peak of the fight against "sand bandits" according to Official Dispatch No. 161 dated March 24, 2017 of the Government Office, functional forces in the area have inspected and handled 78 cases of violations in sand and gravel mining, with 80 subjects; the authorities have imposed administrative fines of 287 million VND.

Typically, on April 4, 2017, on Lam River in Hamlet 16, Hung Long Commune, Hung Nguyen, Team 3-PC49 discovered and arrested 6 boats of 6 subjects all residing in Hung Long Commune, Hung Nguyen, who were illegally mining sand; temporarily detained 6 iron-hulled boats. Currently, the cases are being verified and clarified.

Sand mining on Lam River through Thanh Chuong district. Photo TH

After listening to the speeches of ministries, branches and localities, and concluding the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh emphasized: In the coming time, the demand for sand and gravel exploitation to serve basic construction and infrastructure for socio-economic development will increase. While the legal system and state management in the field of minerals still have shortcomings, violators will still use all methods and tricks to violate. In that situation, the Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Public Security, Transport, Construction, Agriculture and Rural Development, etc., according to their assigned functions and tasks, to strictly implement Directive No. 03 of the Prime Minister to strengthen the effectiveness of implementing policies and laws on minerals.

The People's Committees of provinces and cities shall review and adjust approved plans for sand exploration and exploitation according to regulations, and direct departments and branches to properly implement regulations on procedures for granting mineral exploitation licenses. Direct departments and branches and district and commune authorities to effectively carry out propaganda, dissemination and education of laws on mineral exploitation to all classes of people. Strengthen inspection and supervision of organizations, individuals and the responsibilities of heads of district and commune administrative agencies to allow illegal sand exploitation and illegal sand and gravel purchasing sites to occur for a long time without being thoroughly handled...

Thu Huyen