There are silent, silent...

Twice in the gold zone

In early 2013, before going to Tuong Duong to learn about the illegal gold mining situation, we were reminded by the Editorial Board: “If you need anything, just make a suggestion, but try to have real information, pictures, and analyze the causes…”. At that time, Tuong Duong was “famous” nationwide for the situation of “gold thieves”. If we only researched and wrote an article to reflect, it would not be difficult, but to complete the Editorial Board’s request was indeed difficult.

After thinking it over, the only suggestion was “Allow us to work independently, without contacting any agency in Xiangyang…”. Having agreed, upon arriving in Xiangyang, we immediately determined that there were many “gold bandits” in the localities of Yen Thang, Yen Na, Yen Hoa, Yen Tinh and Huu Khuong. But how to approach the mining subjects was a daunting task without a solution. Luckily, thanks to friends, we were able to contact a volunteer to take us into the gold mines with only one request: “keep personal information confidential”.

An article about gold mining on Nghe An Electronic Newspaper. Photo: HG

He is originally from Nam Dinh, wandered around and then went to Tuong Duong to work as a hunter for ornamental creatures. Working in this profession, he is familiar with all the hills, streams, and places where people often organize gold mining. Thanks to his Northern accent, he plays the role of a Thai Nguyen resident looking for a very "sweet" gold vein. Wherever he goes to a gold mine, with the trick of exploring and buying veins to exploit, he is "hunted" by gold miners. Then when the subjects "lose their guard", he focuses on the "key" content, which is the reaction of local authorities and functional forces to illegal mining. As for us, like servants, we quietly record information and images...

Thanks to him, our two days of wandering were filled with information requested by the Editorial Office. It was confirmed that the reason for the prolonged "gold bandit" problem in Tuong Duong was because a group of responsible officials, especially local authorities, had tolerated and supported it. A series of articles about the "gold bandit" problem was published shortly after that...

At the end of November 2021, we went back to Tuong Duong to go up to Pu Phen mountain - the former capital of gold thieves - to verify the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's granting of a gold mining license to the Capital Construction and General Trading Joint Stock Company (Capital Company). The reason is that the Party Committee, government and voters of Yen Tinh commune hate gold mining activities and are very upset with this company when it had been exploring gold reserves on Pu Phen mountain for many years.

The actual work on Pu Phen Mountain and understanding the local people's thoughts went smoothly. However, it was not easy to collect all the documents and licensing documents of the Capital Company. Because the License was issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; after being licensed (in 2017), the enterprise did not provide all the relevant documents to local authorities and sectors. It took a lot of time and many people to ask, luckily thanks to an officer who used to work in Tuong Duong who suggested relevant information. He affirmed that around 2014 - 2015, when preparing the gold mining dossier on Pu Phen Mountain, Tuong Duong district was asked for opinions and had a written response...

Following the information, the process of exploiting records and documents to grant a license for the Capital Company to mine gold on Pu Phen Mountain has become much simpler. Thanks to that, it has been proven that the preparation of the gold mining records by the Capital Company is not standard; the issuance of the gold mining license is not guaranteed to be close and correct to the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection and the Law on Minerals. The series of articles "Resolutely withdrawing the license to mine gold on Pu Phen Mountain" was published at the right time when the Provincial People's Council held its 4th session, questioning issues related to the mineral sector.

Remember the kindness

In fact, the two stories above are just small examples of many issues that we have implemented. In recent years, realizing the situation of suspended projects, projects behind schedule, projects using land for the wrong purpose causing many consequences, public opinion is indignant, Nghe An Newspaper has strongly intervened.

The negative aspects of many large-scale land-use projects have been clarified and transparently disclosed by Nghe An Newspaper in many articles. Because of their authenticity, objectivity and clear reflection of violations and wrongdoings by related individuals and organizations, these articles have been well received by readers and have been taken care of and handled by authorities and functional agencies.

Cover of an article about the project posted on Nghe An Electronic Newspaper. Photo: HG

This is one of the tasks that Nghe An Newspaper has done. But without companionship and support, Nghe An Newspaper can only have articles reflecting the surface, but cannot have articles that delve into and explain the nature of the problem. We also know that those who have helped us all want the pressing and unjust problems in society to be resolved. That purpose is pure, not self-serving, and a thousand times better.

But when a journalistic work is published, the related issues are considered and resolved, the journalist not only completes the assigned task, but is also known by readers, and can also achieve achievements and be honored. As for the extremely valuable companionship and help of many people, for sensitive reasons, must be kept secret and not known to society.

Therefore, we would like to express our gratitude and always remember. To be more responsible and worthy of those who have silently and quietly helped us…

Ha Giang