Tan Ky prevents illegal mining activities.

Timely prevention of illegal sand mining.

Recently, following reports from residents about illegal sand mining on the Con River, specifically in the Lang Rao hamlet of Tan Huong commune, the Tan Ky District People's Committee directed Tan Huong commune to investigate and decisively address the issue.

Authorities in Tan Huong commune inspect and handle a sand mining site in Lang Rao hamlet. Photo: Xuan Hoang.

Mr. Le Duc Thuyen, Chairman of the Tan Huong Commune People's Committee, said: The Con River flows through the commune for nearly 5 km, with the section through Lang Rao hamlet containing a considerable amount of sand. Therefore, in 2020, the province allowed one enterprise to conduct exploration, but no license has been granted yet, so no enterprise has started exploitation. However, inspections from the beginning of March 2022 to the present have shown that some people in the commune are using small-capacity suction machines to extract sand, with a volume of about 10 m3/day, and using tractors and ox carts to transport sand from the river.

Accordingly, the commune identified 5 cases of violations by local residents.illegal sand miningTo put an end to the illegal sand mining, the People's Committee of Tan Huong commune invited five households to sign a commitment not to violate the regulations. Since then, there has been no more illegal sand mining by residents on the Con River section flowing through Tan Huong commune.

These rudimentary, small tools used for pumping sand were left behind by local residents in the Lang Rao area, Tan Huong commune. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Mr. Phan Huy H. - one of the households that recently signed a commitment with the Tan Huong commune authorities to refrain from illegal sand mining - said: "Previously, my family used a tractor to transport sand from the Con River to sell to local people for building houses and other structures... with a volume of a few cubic meters per day. But since the commune discovered the violation, my family has signed a commitment not to violate the regulations anymore."

On May 4, 2022, we were present at the riverbank area in Lang Rao hamlet, Tan Huong commune, and witnessed the phenomenon of people extracting sand from the riverbed. However, the extraction was on a small scale, and the only equipment left at the scene was a few small sand suction machines. On the bank, there were several piles of sand with a volume of 5-10 m3.

Residents of Lang Rao hamlet say that previously there were some small-scale sand mining activities, but for the past month, there have been no more sounds of sand-pumping machines in the riverbed. They hope that the local authorities will regularly inspect and take action to prevent illegal sand mining, avoiding land erosion and damage to people's agricultural land.

Strengthen management

The Con River flows through the area.Tan Ky districtApproximately 60 km long, the river annually deposits thousands of cubic meters of sand and gravel. The sand and gravel in Tan Ky district are highly valuable for infrastructure construction due to their uniform size, beautiful appearance, and high purity. Therefore, there are currently 16 mining sites in Tan Ky district licensed by the province to businesses for exploitation, with an estimated annual extraction of 300,000 – 400,000 cubic meters. Because of this abundant sand and gravel potential, illegal sand mining and other violations are likely to occur annually in the district if local authorities are lax in their management.

A pile of sand transported by residents of Tan Huong commune from the bed of the Con River. Photo: Xuan Hoang.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Tan Ky District, said that immediately after discovering illegal sand mining in Tan Huong commune, the District People's Committee directed relevant agencies and communes to strengthen inspection and supervision of illegal mineral mining activities. All mining activities by individuals and organizations without a license from the competent State agency are strictly prohibited.

In the event of illegal mineral exploitation, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune or town (where the violation occurs) shall bear full responsibility before the Chairman of the People's Committee of the district and before the law. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment shall coordinate with relevant departments and units to monitor the activities.mineral extractionInspect the licensed mining units; ensure mining is carried out according to the approved design; review violations and boundaries of the permitted mining area. Promptly handle any mining activities that exceed the permitted boundaries. Monitor the full declaration of mining output in accordance with the current Mineral Law, and require businesses to declare and pay all applicable taxes and fees.

Tan Ky District directs local authorities to tighten management of mineral exploitation, including sand and gravel, on the Con River. Photo: Xuan Hoang

To strengthen the overall management of mineral exploitation in the district, the District People's Committee annually issues numerous directives to specialized departments and commune authorities to strictly implement mineral management measures.

Accordingly, every year, provincial and district authorities detect and handle many cases of illegal sand and gravel mining in the district. For example, from the beginning of 2022 to the present, provincial and district authorities have handled 3 cases involving 3 mining units that violated regulations on declaring mineral production, imposing administrative fines totaling nearly 500 million VND. Prior to that, administrative fines were also imposed in 2021.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh - Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Tan Ky District

With abundant mineral resources, Tan Ky district regularly strengthens inspection and handling of violations in mineral exploitation, especially sand and gravel on the Con River, in order to prevent indiscriminate exploitation that leads to insecurity, disorder, and landslides affecting agricultural land in the area.