The "root cause" of dealing with illegal sand mining.

(Baonghean)For many years, the illegal exploitation, transportation, and trading of riverbed sand and gravel in our province has been a "hot" topic, causing public outrage. Faced with the negative impacts of illegal sand and gravel mining, at the end of March, the Provincial Police mobilized a large force of officers and soldiers to crack down on illegal sand mining in Tan Ky district, achieving significant results.

However, alongside the crackdown on illegal sand mining, several problems have arisen that need to be addressed promptly. These include the challenge of meeting the ever-increasing demand for sand and gravel in the construction of public and residential projects; and the issue of employment and income for a segment of the population. These problems are real and have been reflected in several reports from district and city governments after they implemented the Provincial People's Committee's directive on strengthening the management of exploration, exploitation, transportation, and trading of riverbed sand and gravel, as per Government Document No. 1238/VPCP-KTN dated February 7, 2013. For example, Que Phong district stated: "...Currently, in Que Phong, many residential and public works projects (134, 135, 30a...) are being implemented."

However, no enterprise in the district has sufficient capacity (financial resources, machinery, equipment, etc.) to apply for a sand and gravel mining license. Therefore, suspending sand mining operations has caused certain difficulties in the supply of construction materials in the area...". Meanwhile, Nghia Dan district pointed out the reason for the complicated situation in riverbed sand and gravel mining in the area as follows: "...To date, only one unit in the district has been licensed to mine sand and gravel, but the license expired on June 18, 2009. Therefore, the amount of sand and gravel used as construction materials in the past has not met the construction needs of organizations and individuals in the area as well as in neighboring areas...". Nam Dan, one of the districts with many illegal sand and gravel mining businesses and vessels, pointed out some advantages such as: "...Providing construction materials for people in the district, Vinh City and neighboring areas; "It provides employment for family members and is the main source of livelihood for households with business docks and fishing boats..."

According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment - the agency assigned by the Provincial People's Committee to advise on the organization and implementation of strengthening the management of exploration, exploitation, transportation, and trading of riverbed sand and gravel - the demand for sand and gravel in construction is very large, yet very few organizations and individuals in the province have been granted licenses to exploit sand and gravel, while the actual demand is quite high... From the above information and from practical experience, it can be seen that the management of sand and gravel minerals still has shortcomings, and this is a major reason leading to the increase in illegal exploitation and trading of riverbed sand and gravel, making it difficult for functional agencies and localities to prevent and handle violations.

Where there is demand, there is supply. The government needs to address the urgent societal demand for sand and gravel by conducting surveys, explorations, and detailed planning of sand and gravel mining sites; and granting licenses to qualified organizations and individuals to organize mining and business operations. These are necessary steps that should be taken soon. This will be the root cause of illegal sand mining.

Nhat Lan