Request clarification on whether or not there is protection in illegal sand and gravel mining?!

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of September 26, the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council held a session to explain the situation of sand and gravel exploitation in the province.

Mr. Hoang Viet Duong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council chaired the explanation session. Photo: Mai Hoa

Reporting at the meeting of the Provincial People's Council Standing Committee, Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Thai Van Nong admitted that illegal sand and gravel mining poses many potential risks in some areas on Lam River, Hieu River, and Con River.

Especially concentrated in the border area between Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces; border between Hung Nguyen and Nam Dan districts, Thanh Chuong - Do Luong.

Explaining the reasons, Mr. Thai Van Nong gave 4 reasons, emphasizing that the coordination between some provincial departments and branches with district and commune authorities in the work of inspecting and protecting unexploited minerals is still limited; post-inspection handling is not thorough.

After the explanatory report of the Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, representatives of the authorities of the communes with mineral exploitation, including Dang Son commune (Do Luong district), Cat Van commune (Thanh Chuong district), Hung Lam commune (Hung Nguyen district), Thanh Son commune (Anh Son district), reflected a common situation that licensed enterprises all exploit outside the licensed area at night, while in the communes, the force is thin, the means, and sanctions for inspection and handling of illegal exploitation are extremely difficult.

Mr. Ho Phuc Hop - Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, Head of the People's Council's Culture and Social Affairs Department requested clarification on whether or not there is protectionism in illegal sand and gravel mining. Photo: Mai Hoa

Raising the issue, sand and gravel mining has become a story that has been widely reported by the press, people in many localities are upset, the province has many directive documents and local authorities have many petition documents sent up, Mr. Ho Phuc Hop - Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, Head of the Provincial People's Council's Culture and Social Affairs Department suggested that it is necessary to find the right cause to have specific solutions, from there assign responsibility when violations occur.

Pointing out the phenomenon of businesses not being granted licenses, despite many complaints from the people, still blatantly exploiting, Mr. Ho Phuc Hop asked the question, is there a situation of protection in illegal sand and gravel exploitation?

Responding to the suspicion of protection, Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Thai Van Nong did not confirm that there was protection but said that illegal sand and gravel mining does not happen overnight and is not done by small boats but by big boats; the commune authorities are not unaware but have not yet resolutely dealt with it. Agreeing with the opinion that the communes have a small force and no means, Mr. Nong said that when discovered, the commune authorities need to report so that the district can coordinate in handling it.

At the explanation session, based on the opinions of the Standing Committee and the Provincial People's Council Committees, district and commune authorities, the Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment also clarified the reasons why the planning of sand and gravel mines in the whole province is 200 points, but only 44 licenses have been granted; the responsibility of authorities at all levels, of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in the issue of inspection and handling of violations of illegal sand mining in the area; awareness of compliance in environmental protection, waterway safety, post-mining recovery of sand and gravel mining enterprises...

Mr. Thai Van Nong - Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment explained at the conference. Photo: Mai Hoa

Concluding the explanation session, Mr. Hoang Viet Duong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council highly appreciated the direction and strong participation of the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and authorities at all levels in restoring order in mineral exploitation in general and sand and gravel exploitation in particular in recent times.

Pointing out some limitations, shortcomings and inadequacies in the management of sand and gravel mining activities in the area, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council requested the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to advise the Provincial People's Committee to issue a document directing all levels, branches, local authorities, especially district-level officials working on natural resources and environment to enhance their management responsibilities in this field. Continue to strengthen the propaganda and dissemination of laws on sand and gravel mining management.

Propose that the Provincial People's Committee direct the review of mining sites, supplement or propose a plan; both to ensure compliance with the actual requirements of each locality, region and the general planning of the whole province; while ensuring good environmental factors, resource management and stabilizing people's lives. Pay attention to the licensing and auction of mining rights, ensuring objectivity, caution and high responsibility.

Propose that the Provincial People's Committee direct the inspection, supervision and handling of illegal mining activities in the area, especially hot spots. Support the commune authorities in state management of sand and gravel mining in the area. Review the marking of mine sites and regularly monitor, inspect and handle violations./.

Plum Blossom