Quy Chau proposed to reclaim part of the stone quarry of Tung Cuong Company

On June 21, 2021, the People's Committee of Quy Chau district issued report No. 341/BC-UBND on the results of the inspection and verification of the case reported in the newspaper to the Provincial People's Committee, departments, branches, Nghe An Newspaper and related units and localities. In addition to announcing the results of the inspection and verification of the case, the People's Committee of Quy Chau district also made a number of recommendations to the Provincial People's Committee and provincial departments, branches and branches.

The report stated that after receiving the report of the Commune People's Committee,Chau TienRegarding the situation of Tung Cuong Company Limited using explosives to mine rocks, causing rocks to fly into people's houses, the People's Committee of Quy Chau district has established an interdisciplinary team to inspect the compliance with the law in mineral exploitation by Tung Cuong Company Limited.

Report dated June 21, 2021 of Quy Chau District People's Committee.

Through field verification and working with households in the area around the mine, it was found that during the blasting process of stone mining by Tung Cuong Company Limited (at about 11:00 a.m. on May 31, 2021), rocks were thrown into garden houses, affecting 7 households near the mine area in Lau village; causing broken corrugated iron roofs, rocks were thrown into the gardens and barns of households. The reason was that the company conducted drilling and blasting operations in the area above the top of the mine, so when the blasting occurred, due to the explosive pressure and the height of the top of the mine, and the mining operation had no cover, so it causedstone thrown far into the house7 households in the area around the mine broke tiles, glass, and injured livestock.

On May 31 and June 9, 2021, Tung Cuong Company Limited worked with households affected by rocks flying during the blasting process to apologize to the people, agree on remedial measures, compensation, support and encouragement for affected households.
At the time of inspection, the Western Moong area extending from landmark 1 to landmark 4 and 5 adjacent to residential roads was under the company's control, according to the conclusion of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. However, the blasting process in the inner Moong area caused pressure, causing some rock layers in the Western Moong to fall.

A rock flew into a house and broke the glass and roof tiles in Chau Tien commune, Quy Chau. Photo: Ha Giang

Regarding the state management of the People's Committee of Quy Chau district, immediately after receiving information from the people, the People's Committee of Quy Chau district issued Official Dispatch No. 651/UBND-TNMT dated June 3, 2021 on strengthening state management and rectifying the company's mineral exploitation activities; establishing an interdisciplinary team to inspect the law enforcement in mineral exploitation of Tung Cuong company.

Through the inspection, the inspection team requested Tung Cuong Company to absolutely not exploit the western moong area extending from boundary marker No. 1 to markers No. 5 and 4, as well as not to drill or blast in the area above the top of the mine which could cause rocks to fly, causing unsafety during the mining process.
The district's interdisciplinary inspection team also requested Tung Cuong Company Limited to restore the mine boundary markers according to the conclusion of the inspection team under Decision No. 65/QD-KT dated June 7, 2021 of the Environmental Police Department of Nghe An Provincial Police; clear the flow of vehicles on the road leading to the mine to avoid affecting the property of households when the rainy season comes. At the same time, urgently complete the procedures for land lease in the area of ​​the processing workshop, auxiliary works, and motorbike storage area according to regulations.

Na Bang rock cliff, where Tung Cuong Company Limited quarries rocks, affecting the lives of people in Lau village, Chau Tien commune. Photo: Ha Giang

Assign the People's Committee of Chau Tien commune to strengthen state management of the field of mineral exploitation in the management area, in which attention should be paid to the exploitation activities of Tung Cuong Company Limited in particular according to the conclusion of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Official Dispatch No. 6704/CV-STNMT-KS dated December 22, 2020.
For Tung Cuong Company Limited, it is necessary to comply with the conclusion of the Inspection Team, temporarily suspend mining activities at the mine location from markers 1 to 5 and 4. Hire a consulting unit to restore the mine boundary markers according to the conclusion of the Inspection Team (Decision No. 65 of the Environmental Police Department of Nghe An Public Security), with the supervision of the Commune People's Committee and the District Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Fix, dredge soil and rocks, clear the flow to ensure safety when the flood is over before June 30, 2021.

Regarding the recommendation to the Provincial People's Committee and provincial departments and branches, the report clearly states: Propose that the Provincial People's Committee direct departments and branches to inspect, review, suspend or revoke a number of mining locations in the mining area of ​​theTung Cuong Company Limitedbecause it is close to residential areas (from markers 1 to 5 and 4). At this location, mining directly affects the property and lives of households living adjacent to the quarry. It is necessary to clearly define the boundary of the area where mining is suspended (because according to the Notice of Conclusion of the Inspection Team of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Official Dispatch No. 6704/CV-STNMT-KS dated December 22, 2020, the boundary, location, distance, and area permitted for mining have not been clearly stated to ensure safety for people in the adjacent area). During the process of drilling and blasting at the top of the quarry, pressure will be created to cause the rock layers at the western and southwestern moong adjacent to houses and residential roads in Lau village, Chau Tien commune.

At the same time, it is recommended that the Provincial People's Committee direct relevant departments and branches to guide Tung Cuong Company Limited to complete the documents and procedures for applying for land lease in the area of ​​the auxiliary processing workshop and motorbike storage area.