45 expired tin mines collapsed in Nghe An

Nghe An: 3 people died due to collapse of old Suoi Bac tin mine

(Baonghean.vn) - While collecting tin in an old closed mine, the tin mine collapsed, killing 3 people.

During the 3 days from June 24 to 26, Quy Hop district concentrated its forces, coordinated with Chau Thanh commune People's Committee to mobilize excavators, motor vehicles, vehicles and more than 50 people, including police and militia, to simultaneously level and fill 45 tunnel entrance points of 03 underground tin mines in Lan Toong, Suoi Bac, Chau Thanh and Chau Hong communes, which have been decided to close the mines by the Provincial People's Committee. Then, it will report to the Provincial People's Committee to develop a handling plan according to regulations.

Sacks of suspected tin ore confiscated from underground mines. Photo: Huy Nham

Quy Hop has 64 valid mineral exploitation licenses, 57 expired and unexploited mineral exploitation licenses, of which 51 licenses have had decisions to close the mine, 06 licenses are in the process of upgrading reserves and applying for re-issuance.

However, the reclamation of mines after exploitation has not been fully and promptly implemented, posing potential safety risks, and tragic accidents have continuously occurred when people continue to exploit mines that have not been reclamationed.

Illegal mines are often hundreds of meters long, tens of meters deep, and have many dangerous nooks and crannies. Photo: Huy Nham

Based on the above urgent situation, since the beginning of the year, implementing the direction of the Provincial People's Committee, the People's Committee of Quy Hop district has directed the district's agencies, departments, branches and the People's Committees of 14 communes related to the mine sites to deploy many management measures such as mobilizing people not to enter the closed mine sites to collect and illegally exploit tin ore to avoid danger to life. Organizing forces to increase the frequency of sweeps to destroy and disable many vehicles and expel them from the illegal mining area, contributing to control and prevent complications from arising.

Mobilizing machinery and human resources to fill tunnels, preventing the risk of tunnel collapse accidents. Photo: Huy Nham

Accordingly, in the first 6 months of 2019, Quy Hop coordinated with the working group of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to conduct field inspections.Check 41 points of gateTwo underground tin mines of the companies: Tuan Hung Company, An Vinh Company, Phu Quy Company, Chinh Nghia Company at Bac stream, Chau Thanh, Chau Hong and open-pit tin mining sites at risk of landslides and unsafe labor in Long village area, Chau Tien commune and Lien Hop and Chau Hong communes.

Inventory of vehicles, machines, and raw ore products seized at mines. Photo: Huy Nham

Since the beginning of the year, Quy Hop has established an interdisciplinary inspection team to conduct a general inspection of mineral mines in the entire district; conducted 16 inspections in 15 areas and advised the District People's Committee to issue decisions and impose administrative penalties on 04 cases, with a total fine of 71 million VND.