It is necessary to clearly define the responsibilities of leaders in the management of unexploited minerals.

(Baonghean.vn) - Clearly define the responsibilities of heads of authorities at all levels in the management and protection of unexploited minerals; strictly handle organizations and individuals who engage in illegal mineral activities. That was the direction of Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dinh Viet Hong at the meeting this morning (July 10).

Comrade Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the conference on protecting unexploited minerals. Photo: Van Truong

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Vo - Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment presented the draft on Protection of Unlicensed Mineral Resources. Nghe An currently has 150 active mineral exploitation licenses. However, in recent times, the protection of unexploited minerals has revealed many limitations, illegal mineral exploitation still occurs in the area, causing loss of resources, negatively affecting the landscape and environment; affecting security, order and the lives of local people.

The main reason is that the sectors and local authorities have not fulfilled their assigned responsibilities in managing and protecting unexploited minerals; have not promptly detected and organized forces to resolutely prevent and completely stop illegal mineral exploitation; and the handling of violations has not been strict.

In order to restore order and strictly implement legal regulations in the management and protection of unlicensed mineral resources in the province, the Provincial People's Committee publicly announces the mineral planning approved by the Provincial People's Committee, areas prohibited from mineral activities, areas temporarily prohibited from mineral activities, and areas without licenses.

Departments and branches need to conduct surprise inspections of licensed and illegal mineral mining areas in localities according to their authority to handle them promptly. At the district and commune levels, it is necessary to establish a Mineral Steering Committee headed by the Chairman of the District and Commune People's Committee to inspect and handle them according to their authority.

Periodically, departments and branches coordinate with local authorities to select areas for mining minerals for common construction materials and submit them to the Provincial People's Committee to include them in the area for auction of mineral exploitation rights.

After listening to the leaders of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment present the draft, leaders of departments, branches and localities gave many comments related to planning issues, unexploited minerals that need protection, the current state of state management of minerals, plans and specific responsibilities of departments, branches and localities...

Sand mining in Nghia Dong (Tan Ky). Photo archive

Concluding the conference, comrade Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested: After the conference to collect opinions on the plan to protect unexploited minerals in the province, it is recommended that the Departments, branches and localities need to coordinate to develop a suitable plan to protect unlicensed minerals.

It emphasizes the need to clearly define the responsibilities of government leaders at all levels in the management and protection of unexploited minerals; strictly handle organizations and individuals who engage in illegal mineral activities; and develop a coordination mechanism in the protection of unexploited minerals with relevant localities in border areas to effectively manage and protect unexploited minerals and prevent illegal mineral activities.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment monitors, synthesizes, and reports to the Provincial People's Committee on the implementation status, proactively advises, and proposes measures to effectively implement the contents of the plan./.

Van Truong