The Provincial People's Council supervises the state management of mineral resources.

On the afternoon of September 23rd, the Provincial People's Council delegation held a working session in Thanh Chuong district as part of a thematic supervision program on state management of mineral resources in the province. Mr. Nguyen Nhu Khoi, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, led the supervision delegation.

Scene of the working session. Photo: Mai Hoa

Many difficulties in mineral resource management.

Before working with the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district, the Provincial People's Council's monitoring team divided into groups to conduct direct surveys at several clay and brick quarry sites, sand and gravel extraction and collection points, and worked with the People's Committee of Dong Van commune and Thanh Chuong town.

The delegation from the Provincial People's Council conducted a field survey at the post-mining sand storage area in Dong Van commune. Photo: Mai Hoa.

According to the report from the District People's Committee, there are 9 active mining sites in the district; mainly 7 sand mines, 1 clay mine for bricks and tiles, and 1 construction stone mine. In addition, there are 8 mining sites whose mineral exploitation rights were recently auctioned by the Provincial People's Committee, of which 4 have already been licensed.

Reporting to the Provincial People's Council's Supervisory Delegation, the leaders of Thanh Chuong District People's Committee stated that, in recent times, the district's Party Committee and government have paid attention to leading and directing the state management of natural resources and the environment.

In particular, in implementing the state management tasks regarding minerals as stipulated in Government Decree No. 158 issued on November 29, 2016, and Provincial People's Committee Directive No. 04 issued on March 27, 2017, the District People's Committee has issued a plan with specific tasks, clarifying the responsibilities of all levels and sectors, emphasizing the role and responsibility of the local government and commune police in directly monitoring mining sites.

Comrade Trinh Van Nha, Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee and Chairman of the Thanh Chuong District People's Committee, reported to the Provincial People's Council delegation on the state management of mineral resources in the district. Photo: Mai Hoa

Quarterly, the District People's Committee holds meetings on resource and environmental management, including mining activities, to promptly address violations, difficulties, and shortcomings. The district actively coordinates with relevant departments and functional forces in management, as well as inspection, examination, and handling of violations of mining laws.

Specifically, at the district level, authorities annually direct functional forces to inspect, detect, and advise on handling violations in mining activities. Over the past five years (2016-2021), the district has handled 129 cases of violations through administrative measures, with a total fine of nearly 1.4 billion VND.

Comrade Nguyen Thi Nga - Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Thanh Chuong District People's Council, reported on the questioning and explanation activities of the District People's Council regarding the state management of mineral resources in the district. Photo: Mai Hoa

Despite focused efforts in directing and managing mineral activities in the area, unlicensed mineral exploitation still occurs, with some cases resulting in criminal prosecution.

Even in cases where licenses have been granted, some organizations still violate legal regulations, such as mining outside the permitted area; mining sand outside the prescribed time; mining and transportation processes that negatively impact the environment; and using overloaded vehicles for transportation…

Sand stockpiling site after mining in Dong Van commune, Thanh Chuong district. Photo: Mai Hoa

The difficulties in managing mineral resources in the district, especially riverbed sand mining, stem from the increasing demand for sand, gravel, and fill soil for construction activities, while the licensed mining capacity at the mines is limited and insufficient to meet market demand.

In particular, mining activities are related to the labor, employment, and livelihoods of many people.

Comrade Bui Duy Son - Chief of the Office of the Delegation of the National Assembly and the Provincial People's Council - participated in the working session. Photo: Mai Hoa

Focus on addressing the negative consequences of mineral exploitation.

Concluding the meeting, Comrade Nguyen Nhu Khoi - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council - acknowledged the efforts and focused implementation of state management solutions regarding mineral resources in Thanh Chuong district, as well as the difficulties and shortcomings currently facing state management in this field.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council requested the district to strengthen management and direction of management work within its authority and to coordinate more effectively with relevant departments in advising the Provincial People's Committee on mining licensing and state management.

Comrade Nguyen Nhu Khoi - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council - suggested that Thanh Chuong district study solutions to address the shortcomings and difficulties currently facing mineral exploitation and management. Photo: Mai Hoa

Pointing out the difficulties and shortcomings in the implementation of state management of mineral resources, especially the conflict between the needs of society and legal regulations, the limited number of licensed mines in the area, and the conflict between the implementation of legal regulations and employment and income for people participating in mineral exploitation activities, Comrade Nguyen Nhu Khoi suggested that Thanh Chuong district should study and proactively address these issues; and at the same time, propose and advise the province on issues beyond its authority. The immediate priority is to focus on implementing solutions to address the negative consequences of mineral exploitation such as riverbank erosion, changes in river flow, environmental pollution, and overloaded vehicles.