Supervising the management and exploitation of mineral resources in Tan Ky.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of April 1st, the Economic and Budget Committee, led by Mr. Tran Quoc Chung – Deputy Head of the Economic and Budget Committee of the Provincial People's Council, conducted a monitoring visit on the compliance with environmental protection laws and the management and protection of assets and minerals at several enterprises in Tan Ky district.

Also participating were members: Comrade Le Minh Thong - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial Inspection Committee; Pham Anh Tuan - Provincial Party Committee Member, Chairman of the Provincial Labor Union; and representatives from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Inspection team of Hoang Danh Co., Ltd. quarry

Monitoring has shown that Hoang Danh Co., Ltd. (located in Tan Hop commune, operating in the field of mineral exploitation) and Cuong Hoa One-Member Company (located in Ky Tan commune, operating in the field of sand, gravel, and clay mining) have complied quite seriously with State regulations on mineral management and exploitation. Hoang Danh Co., Ltd. has paid nearly 1,360 million VND to the state budget over three years (2011, 2012, 2013), including resource tax, environmental protection fees for mineral exploitation, business license tax, and import tax. The company has also deposited nearly 40 million VND/3 years for environmental protection; and has paid attention to implementing environmental protection measures for its employees and the surrounding environment. At Cuong Hoa One-Member Limited Company, in addition to fulfilling its tax obligations to the state, the enterprise has also complied with its commitment to environmental protection, depositing an environmental protection fund totaling over 324 million VND, of which 60 million VND has been paid in two installments.

The inspection team worked at Cuong Hoa One-Member Limited Company.

During the inspection, the delegation noted several shortcomings raised by businesses, namely that the state should calculate resource tax based on the volume of raw materials (when newly extracted), rather than on the volume of products sold (including labor costs, fuel, and machinery costs). Businesses believe that collecting mining rights fees under Government Decree 203 (effective from January 20, 2014) is correct; however, a more streamlined collection method is needed to facilitate business operations, rather than a one-time collection as stipulated in Decree 203. Based on these practical issues, the survey team will compile a report and submit it to relevant authorities and sectors to address the difficulties faced by businesses. The delegation also requested that businesses strictly comply with legal regulations in the management and exploitation of mineral resources, ensuring sustainable development for both the businesses and the community.

Later that afternoon, the Economic and Budget Committee of the Provincial People's Council worked with the leaders of Tan Ky district on the management and protection of mineral resources in the district.

According to a report from Tan Ky district, as of now, more than 40 organizations and businesses in the district have submitted applications for licenses to explore and exploit mineral resources: white limestone, polymetallic ore, tin, construction stone, sand, and gravel. Of these, 21 businesses have been granted mining licenses, but only 6 are currently operating; the majority are temporarily suspended or their licenses have expired. The district has focused on leading and directing state management of mineral resources, strengthening inspections and audits of mineral exploitation by licensed businesses, and promptly addressing issues related to businesses failing to ensure labor safety, not seriously complying with environmental restoration deposit requirements, and not completing land lease procedures and paying resource taxes and environmental protection fees as stipulated. In addition, the district has intensified inspections of illegal mining activities, imposing administrative penalties totaling nearly 700 million VND (over the three years from 2011 to 2013).

Leaders of the Tan Ky District People's Committee reported on the state management of mineral resources in the area.

Comrade Tran Quoc Chung suggested that the district continue to pay attention to the management of mineral resources in the area.

The current challenges in mineral resource management in Tan Ky are the disparity between the enormous demand for sand and gravel from the local population, the district's 40 km of river, and the fact that only two mining sites have been licensed for exploitation. Despite the district's strong efforts in management and tightening control, the situation remains very difficult. In stone mining, trucks carrying stone typically have a load capacity of no less than 30 tons, while the roads in Tan Ky are built to the standards of a mountainous road (class 6), designed to withstand a load of only 10 tons. Therefore, along with sugarcane trucks (with a load capacity of approximately 20 tons), stone trucks have been causing significant damage to the transportation system. This has been a source of frustration and numerous complaints from the local population. Furthermore, there are instances of exploration permits being issued, but some businesses are proceeding with mining without them. Managing explosives in mineral mining is also proving challenging.

The inspection team noted the shortcomings and recommendations of the district to report to higher levels and sectors in order to improve the effectiveness of state management in mineral activities in the future. They also requested Tan Ky district to pay attention to handling violations by units regarding environmental protection, labor safety, and the safety of people's lives and property during mining operations; and to continue strengthening the management of illegal mining activities.

Text and photos:Minh Chi