Provincial People's Council supervises state management of minerals

On the afternoon of September 23, the Provincial People's Council delegation had a working session in Thanh Chuong district under the program of thematic supervision of state management of minerals in the province. Comrade Nguyen Nhu Khoi - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council was the Head of the supervision delegation.

Working scene. Photo: Mai Hoa

Many difficulties in mineral management

Before working with the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district, the Provincial People's Council's monitoring delegation divided into groups to conduct direct surveys at a number of brick and tile clay mines, sand and gravel mining gathering points and worked with the People's Committee of Dong Van commune and Thanh Chuong town.

The delegation of the Provincial People's Council conducted a field survey at the sand collection site after mining in Dong Van commune. Photo: Mai Hoa

According to the report of the District People's Committee, there are 9 operating mines in the area; mainly 7 sand mines, 1 brick and tile clay mine, and 1 construction stone mine. In addition, 8 mines have just been auctioned for mineral exploitation rights by the Provincial People's Committee, of which 4 mines have been licensed.

Reporting to the Provincial People's Council Supervision Delegation, the leader of Thanh Chuong District People's Committee said that recently, the district Party Committee and government have paid attention to leading and directing the state management of natural resources and environment.

In particular, implementing the task of state management of minerals in Decree No. 158 of the Government issued on November 29, 2016 and Directive No. 04 of the Provincial People's Committee 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 authorities and the Commune Police directly monitoring the mining sites.

Comrade Trinh Van Nha - Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district reported to the Provincial People's Council Working Group on state management of minerals in the area. Photo: Mai Hoa

Every quarter, the District People's Committee organizes meetings on natural resources and environmental management, including mineral activities, to promptly correct violations, difficulties, and shortcomings. The District actively coordinates with relevant sectors and forces in management as well as inspection, examination, and handling of violations of mineral laws.

District authorities alone annually direct functional forces to inspect, detect and advise on handling violations in mineral activities. In the past 5 years (2016 - 2021), the district has handled 129 administrative violations, with a total fine of nearly 1.4 billion VND.

Comrade Nguyen Thi Nga - Permanent Vice Chairwoman of Thanh Chuong District People's Council reported on the questioning and explanation activities of the District People's Council on state management of minerals in the area. Photo: Mai Hoa

Although there has been focus on directing and managing mineral activities in the area, unlicensed mineral exploitation still occurs, and some cases have been criminally prosecuted.

In cases where licenses have been granted, there are still some organizations that violate legal regulations, such as mining outside the licensed mining area; mining sand outside the prescribed time; the mining and transportation process affects the environment and the transportation uses overloaded vehicles...

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

The difficulty in managing the district's minerals, especially river sand mining, is due to the increasing demand for sand, gravel, and soil for construction, while the licensed mining capacity at the mines is low, not enough to meet market demand.

In particular, mineral exploitation activities are related to labor, employment and livelihood of many people.

Comrade Bui Duy Son - Chief of Office of the National Assembly Delegation and Provincial People's Council gave his opinion at the meeting. Photo: Mai Hoa

Pay attention to solving the consequences of mineral exploitation

Concluding the meeting, Comrade Nguyen Nhu Khoi - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council acknowledged the efforts and focus on implementing solutions for state management of minerals in Thanh Chuong district as well as the difficulties and shortcomings in state management of this field.

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

Comrade Nguyen Nhu Khoi - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council requested Thanh Chuong district to study solutions to resolve the shortcomings and difficulties arising in the exploitation and management of minerals. Photo: Mai Hoa

Pointing out the difficulties and shortcomings in implementing state management of minerals, especially between the needs of social life and the provisions of the law and the limited number of licensed mines in the area; between the implementation of the provisions of the law and jobs and income for people participating in mineral exploitation activities..., comrade Nguyen Nhu Khoi suggested that Thanh Chuong district study to proactively resolve the problems; at the same time, recommend and advise the province on issues beyond its authority. The immediate focus is on implementing solutions to address the consequences of mineral exploitation such as causing riverbank erosion, changing the flow of rivers, environmental pollution, overloaded vehicles...