It's more than just illegal sand mining: A persistent problem.

The problem of illegal sand mining, which has caused harm to the people and resulted in the loss of mineral resources, has existed for a long time and has been investigated and dealt with by the authorities.

The timeframe for intensified inspections and handling of legal violations in the exploitation of sand and gravel from riverbeds in the province can be identified as 2015. This is because it was at this time that the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 5445/QD-UBND-NC establishing an inter-agency team to inspect and handle violations in the exploitation, transportation, and stockpiling of sand and gravel on the Lam River.

In January 2018, during overnight trips on the Lam River, reporters from Nghe An Newspaper documented illegal sand and gravel mining and trading activities in the Thanh Linh, Thanh Tien, and Thanh Hung communes (Thanh Chuong district). Photo: Nhat Lan.

Give itAs of May 2018, approximately three years later, violations of the law in the exploitation and trading of riverbed sand and gravel remained extremely complex. According to Report No. 2898/STNMT.KS of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, in 2017 and early 2018 alone, in the province, various sectors and levels inspected, detected, and handled violations with a total fine amount of...2,891,700,000 VND. Of which, 2,151,700,000 VND was fined for illegal violations; and 740,000,000 VND was fined by the tax authorities for businesses involved in sand and gravel trading that did not maintain proper accounting records and documentation.

A nighttime trip on the Lam River by a reporter from Nghe An Newspaper to investigate a case reported by locals of illegal sand mining. Photo: Nhat Lan

Also during this period,The provincial police force has detected and arrested 620 cases involving 645 individuals for violating the law in the field of sand and gravel mining and trading, and temporarily seized 3,568 cubic meters of sand and gravel.³Sand and gravel; 330 boats; 191 sets of engines, pumps, suction hoses, and other items used for illegal sand pumping.One case involving one suspect was prosecuted and investigated for the crime of "Violating regulations on resource exploitation". Administrative violation records were compiled and transferred to relevant authorities for handling in 609 cases involving 631 individuals, resulting in the collection of over 1.4 billion VND for the state budget; and land restoration was mandated for 3,568 m².³Sand and gravel; confiscated vehicles and evidence of violations will be auctioned off and the proceeds deposited into the state budget as prescribed. Currently, dossiers are being prepared for processing 11 cases involving 14 individuals.

Late at night until dawn is when illegal sand mining is rampant. The photo, taken in January 2018, shows the Lam River section bordering Thanh Linh and Thanh Tien communes (Thanh Chuong district). Photo: Nhat Lan.

In Report No. 2898, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment made the following assessment:In 2017 and the first six months of 2018, thanks to the efforts of various sectors and levels of government, the exploitation, transportation, stockpiling, and trading of sand and gravel in Nghe An province gradually became more orderly. However, monitoring has revealed that violations of the law in this field remain complex in some aspects.

As the head of the inspection team for compliance with laws on mineral activities in Thanh Chuong, Nam Dan, Hung Nguyen districts and Vinh City, Mr. Nguyen Cong Luc – Deputy Head of the Mineral Resources Department of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment – ​​affirmed thatCriminals and violations in the sand and gravel mining sector are becoming increasingly sophisticated and audacious.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Luc explained: “Those involved in illegal sand mining employ various tactics to evade inspection and detection by authorities, such as: illegal mining from midnight to early morning; in many cases, when detected, they prevent authorities from approaching their boats and use multiple generators to speed away. Meanwhile, at the docks and yards, they purchase the illegally mined sand and gravel. Afterward, the owners of these yards legitimize their activities by purchasing input invoices from businesses authorized to mine sand and gravel…”

Illegal sand mining is one of the causes of riverbank subsidence, affecting agricultural land and causing great frustration among residents in many areas. Photo: Zen Da.

Assessmentof the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Report No. 2898, andMr. Nguyen Cong Luc's statements reflect a clear reality. Over the years, through closely following working groups or conducting independent investigations, reporters from Nghe An Newspaper have repeatedly approached "sand thieves" directly involved in the illegal exploitation of sand and gravel from riverbeds; thereby gaining insight into their methods and the extremely complex nature of this problem.

For example, in January 2018, when provincial task forces were intensifying inspections of compliance with mining laws in Hung Nguyen, Nam Dan, and Thanh Chuong districts, Nghe An Newspaper received information from residents of Hamlet 12, Thanh Tien commune: "There are signs that 'sand thieves' will be organizing early mining tonight."

Working alongside local residents on fishing boats, traversing the Lam River through the communes of Thanh Linh, Thanh Tien, Thanh Hung, etc., reporters from Nghe An Newspaper not only identified illegal sand miners on the Lam River but also understood the reasons why they continue to thrive.

Regarding the operating hours of illegal sand mining, it's from around 9-10 PM until 4-5 AM the following morning. As for the mining methods, the illegal sand miners use various types of vehicles.These iron-hulled vessels are equipped with internal combustion engines connected to pumps and suction hoses to directly draw sand and gravel from the riverbed into the ship's hold.This sand dredge uses a large, long hose, several tens of meters long, to penetrate the riverbed and riverbanks, then uses a powerful engine to suck the sand up into the hold.

An unlicensed sand and gravel business operating an inland waterway terminal was suspended but continued to operate in Thanh Hung commune in January 2018. Photo: Nhat Lan.

With a large carrying capacity, typically ranging from 70 to 200 cubic meters of sand, the sand barges are filled to capacity in about an hour. Afterward, they laboriously move to stockpiles near the riverbanks and roads to transport the sand to the docks. Each stockpile usually has 3-4 sand cranes operating continuously late into the night, their headlights illuminating the area and the moving vehicles… All these illegal mining and trading activities, though carried out at night, are not difficult to detect, inspect, and handle. However, they have failed to be detected by the local authorities and relevant agencies!

For example, at the end of July, to gather new information on the exploitation and trading of sand and gravel in the riverbed, reporters from Nghe An Newspaper continued their journeys along the Ta Lam dike section through Hung Nguyen and Nam Dan districts, and along National Highway 15 up to Nam Loc and Khanh Son communes (Nam Dan), and to communes in Thanh Chuong district through which the Lam River flows, such as Thanh Giang, Thanh Linh, Thanh Tien, and Thanh Hung communes…

To date, the management of sand and gravel collection points in Thanh Chuong district has been improved. Steel fences have been erected around the collection points to prevent transport vehicles from entering, and signs have been put up stating: "Illegal sand mining is prohibited." Photo: Nhat Lan.

What is evident in Thanh Chuong district is that, to date, they have strictly complied with the directives of the Provincial People's Committee, managing operations tightly and preventing illegal sand and gravel trading at wharves.The inland waterway terminal has not yet been granted a license to operate or resume operations by the competent authority.At the sand and gravel collection points near Nguoc hill, along the Lam River in Thanh Hung and Thanh Tien communes, which were once hotspots, the cranes have now been taken down; outside the collection points, barbed wire fences prevent transport vehicles from entering and exiting, and signs prohibiting illegal sand and gravel mining are erected on the grounds or in front of the gates.

But in Nam Dan district, and especially in Hung Nguyen district, at times when there are few people around, at dawn or dusk, the activities of sand and gravel collection points basically continue as normal. At the collection points, the crane towers, instead of being lowered, still stand proudly; the yards are still overflowing with piles of sand as high as hills, some piles of sand still wet, indicating that they were recently unloaded from sand barges. And transport vehicles continue to come and go, carrying sand…

However, in some other districts, such as Hung Nguyen, sand and gravel collection points are still operating clandestinely. Photo: Nhat Lan.

Based on information gathered from the Environmental Police Department of the Provincial Public Security, in early July 2018, the Department initiated legal proceedings against several individuals involved in illegal sand and gravel mining on the Lam River, specifically the section passing through Hung Nguyen district. Officers and soldiers of the Environmental Police Department determined that the fight against and prevention of illegal sand and gravel mining, transportation, and stockpiling on the Lam River is extremely difficult, arduous, and will continue for a long time.

Therefore, on July 22, 2018, the Department advised the Provincial Police on document No. 596/CV-CTA proposing solutions to overcome difficulties in managing the operation, exploitation, transportation, and stockpiling of sand and gravel on the Lam River. Document 596 clearly states: "In reality, there are many difficulties that make it almost impossible to completely prevent the problem of illegal sand and gravel mining…".

Strictly punish officials and Party members who engage in "protection rackets"!

On March 24, 2017, atTAccording to Announcement No. 161/TB-VPCP, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh issued directives.People's Committeeprovinces and centrally-administered cities:

RReview and evaluate the implementation of exploration and exploitation of riverbed sandbanks, propose adjustments to the planning of wharves, sand and gravel collection points, and the planning of exploitation of common construction materials in the locality, ensuring suitability and strict management of resources.

Strengthen management and inspection of sand and gravel mining for construction in riverbed areas bordering different localities; raise awareness and clearly define the responsibilities of local Party committees and authorities in preventing illegal sand and gravel mining for construction.NIn any area where prolonged violations occur, causing public outrage, the responsibility of the head of the Party committee and the local government in charge of the area must be resolutely and strictly addressed. If cadres or Party members are found to be involved in "protecting," assisting, covering up, or condoning violations, depending on the nature and severity of the violation, they must be dealt with strictly in accordance with Party regulations and the law....".

(to be continued)

Nhat Lan