Supervision of management and exploitation of minerals in Tan Ky

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

Also attending were members: Comrade 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; representatives of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Quarry supervision team of Hoang Danh Company Limited

Through monitoring, it was found that Hoang Danh Company Limited (in Tan Hop Commune, operating in the field of mineral exploitation) and Cuong Hoa One Member Company (in Ky Tan Commune, operating in the field of sand, gravel, and clay exploitation) strictly complied with the State's regulations on mineral management and exploitation. Hoang Danh Company Limited paid nearly 1,360 million VND to the state budget in 3 years (2011, 2012, 2013), including resource tax, environmental protection fee in mineral exploitation, business license tax, and import tax. The enterprise also paid an environmental protection deposit of nearly 40 million VND/3 years; at the same time, it paid attention to implementing environmental protection measures for workers and the surrounding environment. At Cuong Hoa One Member Co., Ltd., in addition to fulfilling its tax obligations to the state, the enterprise has also complied with its commitment to environmental protection, making an environmental protection deposit with a total cost of more than 324 million VND, of which 60 million VND has been paid twice.

Supervisory delegation working at Cuong Hoa One Member Co., Ltd.

Through monitoring, the delegation noted some shortcomings that businesses suggested, that is, the state should calculate resource tax based on raw volume (when newly exploited), not based on products sold (including labor, fuel, and machinery costs). According to businesses, collecting mining rights fees according to Decree 203 of the Government (effective from January 20, 2014) is correct, however, it is necessary to calculate how to collect them to facilitate business operations, instead of collecting them all at once like Decree 203. Based on the reality, in the coming time, the survey delegation will synthesize and report to all levels and sectors concerned to remove obstacles and difficulties for businesses. The delegation also requested businesses to strictly comply with legal regulations in mineral management and exploitation, ensuring sustainable development for businesses and the community.

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

According to the report of Tan Ky district, up to now, the whole district has more than 40 organizations and enterprises that have filed documents to request licenses for mineral exploration and exploitation: white limestone, polymetallic ore, tin, construction stone, sand, gravel. Of which, 21 enterprises have been granted mining licenses, but only 6 units are currently operating, the majority of the remaining are temporarily suspended or have expired mining. The district has paid attention to state management of minerals, directed and strengthened inspection and examination of mineral exploitation for licensed enterprises, promptly rectified a number of mining enterprises that do not ensure labor safety, do not strictly implement the deposit for environmental restoration, complete land lease procedures, pay resource tax, environmental protection fees according to regulations. In addition, stepping up inspection of illegal mineral activities, the district handled administrative violations of nearly 700 million VND (3 years 2011 - 2013).

Leaders of Tan Ky District People's Committee report on State management of minerals in the area

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

The difficulty in mineral management in Tan Ky at present is the inadequacy between the huge demand for sand and gravel from the people, the whole district has 40 km of river but only 2 mines have been licensed for exploitation. Although in the past time, the district has been very determined in management and tightening, it is still very difficult. In stone mineral exploitation, the load of stone trucks is usually not less than 30 tons, while the traffic roads in Tan Ky are built according to the standard of grade 6 mountainous roads, with a load capacity of 10 tons. Thus, in the past time, along with sugarcane trucks (with a load capacity of about 20 tons), stone trucks are causing great damage to the traffic system. This has been the cause of many complaints and petitions from the people. The situation of granting exploration licenses, but some enterprises carry out exploitation while not having an exploitation license. The management of explosives in mineral exploitation is also difficult.

The monitoring delegation noted the shortcomings and recommendations of the district to report to all levels and sectors in order to make the State management of mineral activities effective in the coming time. At the same time, it requested Tan Ky district to pay attention to handling units violating environmental protection, labor safety as well as safety of property and people's lives in mining activities; continue to strengthen the management of illegal mining units.

News, photos:Minh Chi