Consulting the community on the gold mining project on Pu Phen mountain: 100% of opinions disagree

In Yen Na commune, the conference was held at 8:30 a.m. on May 9. Attending the conference were representatives of the departments: Natural Resources and Environment; Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Rural Development; representatives of the project investor are leaders.Thu Do General Construction and Trading Joint Stock Company.

On the side of Yen Na commune, there were leaders of the Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Fatherland Front Committee; Party cell secretary, village chief, prestigious people, and representatives of unions of the two villages of Na Bon and Xieng Nua.

At the conference, representatives of Tuong Duong district approved two documents, including Official Dispatch No. 16/UBND-NN dated February 2, 2024 of the People's Committee of Nghe An province on consulting on contents related to the Yen Na - Yen Tinh gold mine exploitation project, Tuong Duong district and Official Dispatch No. 9389/STNMT-BVMT dated December 29, 2023 of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment on consulting on issues related to the exploitation of Yen Na - Yen Tinh gold mine, Tuong Duong district.

On the investor side, a summary of the Investment Project for the construction of a gold mine in Yen Na-Yen Tinh commune, Tuong Duong district, Nghe An province was also presented.

Accordingly, the exploration work was carried out since 2008, and was licensed for exploitation in 2017. Currently, the investor continues to complete the missing documents to be exploited. The project has a capacity of 13,800 tons of raw gold ore/year; exploitation for 15 years; underground mining technology with an expected workforce of about 40 people; total affected area of ​​about more than 126.71 hectares.

Regarding the environmental dossier submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in 2022, but not yet approved; the Company has fully paid the mineral exploitation rights fee to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; and the investor commits to fully pay any taxes that must be paid in accordance with regulations.

The investor also pledged to allocate a portion of profits to support the people of Yen Na commune.

On the side of representatives of Yen Na commune and two villages Na Bon, Xieng Nua, there were 13 opinions expressing disagreement with the project implementation. For example, Secretary, Head of the Fatherland Front Committee of Na Bon village, Mr. Vi Thanh Bay expressed disagreement with the project, suggesting not to implement the project because he was worried that the project would affect the environment, make livestock farming impossible and cause more social evils. “10 years ago, when I was still a commune police officer, I participated in the raid very hard; it was not beneficial for the people…” – Mr. Vi Thanh Bay said.

Mr. Luong Xuan Nuoc - a prestigious person in Xieng Nua village expressed: "Gold mining will affect people's agricultural production and the environment of Cha Ha stream. Currently, the stream water is clear and the trees are lush. If gold mining resumes, it will risk affecting the people's daily life and current environment. Therefore, I do not agree with the project and request that gold mining not be allowed...".

According to the Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Yen Na Commune, Ms. Lo Thi Hoa, in the past, gold mining activities caused disorder and social insecurity. Therefore, Ms. Lo Thi Hoa did not agree with the project and requested the competent authorities not to allow gold mining...

In Yen Na commune, a total of 35/35 people were consulted. As a result, 100% of the votes disagreed with the implementation of the "Investment project to build a gold mine in Yen Na-Yen Tinh commune, Tuong Duong district, Nghe An province" by Thu Do General Construction and Trading Joint Stock Company.

In the afternoon of the same day, the conference continued to be held in Yen Tinh commune. A total of 36 people were consulted, including representatives of the Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Fatherland Front Committee; Party cell secretaries, village chiefs, prestigious people and representatives of mass organizations in Canh Toong and Cap Chang villages.

Here, after the representative of Tuong Duong district approved the conference content and the investor briefly presented the investment project to build a gold mine; there were 14 comments from the representatives of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, People's Committee of Yen Tinh commune and 2 villages of Canh Toong and Cap Chang.

All expressed concern and disagreement with the implementation of the gold mining project. Many opinions clearly stated the consequences that gold mining had caused to the people of Yen Tinh in the past.

Mr. Luong Khanh Uynh - Commune Land Officer said: Previously, when the Company was exploring, the commune often experienced instability in security and order; it did not reduce the rate of poor households, and did not improve the commune's economy. The exploration caused many environmental consequences, and livestock production encountered many difficulties.

“I affirm that the project has been put into operation here, causing many of the above-mentioned consequences. Therefore, I do not agree to implement the project…” - Mr. Luong Khanh Uynh expressed his opinion.

Formerly the Chief of Police of Yen Tinh Commune, a prestigious person in Canh Toong village, Mr. Luong Hung Lom said: “The company’s exploration activities have disrupted security and order, wives have lost their husbands due to drug addiction..., and have affected the environment, causing damage to production and livestock. Therefore, I personally do not agree to implement the project...”.

Conducting a vote, 100% of the people surveyed disagreed with the implementation of the "Investment project to build a gold mine in Yen Na-Yen Tinh commune, Tuong Duong district" of Thu Do General Construction and Trading Joint Stock Company.

Attending the two conferences, Ms. Ho Thi Ha Giang - Deputy Head of the General and Appraisal Department of the Environmental Protection Sub-Department commented in the minutes with the content: "Environmental consultation is one of the steps in the process of preparing an environmental impact assessment report, the environmental impact assessment report of the project is under the appraisal authority of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The conference recorded the opinions of individuals and organizations in an objective and democratic manner. Carrying out the tasks assigned by the Provincial People's Committee, after receiving the report of the District People's Committee, based on relevant regulations, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment will coordinate with relevant departments, branches and units to advise the Provincial People's Committee on a handling plan for the Project".