Hold people accountable and prevent the exploitation of quartz ore resources.

Who is to blame for the illegal quartz mining in the border area?

(Baonghean.vn) - In response to the illegal exploitation of quartz ore, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district have issued a document regarding the matter.

On June 5, 2019, Nghe An Online Newspaper published information about illegal mining activities rampant in Nhan Can village, Thanh Son border commune (article "Nghe An: Authorities raid an illegal quartz ore mine in the Vietnam-Laos border area.”). On the same day, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment sent Document No. 3089/STNMT-KS to the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district regarding the handling of illegal mineral exploitation in Thanh Son commune (this document was also sent to the Provincial People's Committee and relevant agencies).

In this document, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment requests the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district to strengthen mineral resource management in the area and put an end to illegal mineral exploitation. At the same time, it requests that violations be handled in accordance with the law.

Also on June 5, 2019, the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong District issued urgent document No. 852/UBND-TNMT to the District Police, Ngoc Lam Border Guard Station, and the People's Committee of Thanh Son Commune to direct the handling of illegal mineral exploitation activities.

Minutes compiled by the Task Force of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment at the scene and an urgent document from the People's Committee of Thach Chuong district directing relevant agencies to handle illegal mining activities in Thanh Son commune. Photo: PV.

The Thanh Son Commune People's Committee is required to organize a force to clear and stop illegal mineral exploitation activities, restore the environment in the illegally exploited area; temporarily detain and manage the illegal mining and transportation vehicles pending resolution by the competent authority; hold a meeting to review and clarify the responsibilities of organizations and individuals involved in allowing illegal mineral exploitation activities to occur for a long period without timely or decisive action, and without reporting the incident to the Thanh Chuong District People's Committee for timely guidance and handling...

At Ngoc Lam Border Guard Station, the focus is on strengthening inspections of people and vehicles operating in the border area. If violations are detected, they will be handled according to the law.

The District Police are responsible for investigating, verifying, and advising on the handling of violations by organizations and individuals related to illegal mineral exploitation, transportation, and trading of minerals without legal origin in Thanh Son commune, in accordance with the law.

At the same time, clarify the information reported by the Thanh Son Commune People's Committee to the District Police, and the District Police have conducted an inspection but the issue has not been resolved completely.

Chairman of Thanh Son Commune People's Committee, Lu Van Duong (right), studies the minutes before signing. Photo: PV.

As reported by Nghe An Newspaper in its investigative report "Remaining unmoved in the face of quartz mine thieves.(Nghe An Daily, June 6, 2019), when asked about responsibility, representatives of the Thanh Son commune government and police said they were "powerless." They also stated that they had reported the illegal mining activities to higher authorities. Verification confirmed that the Thanh Son commune government had not been truthful.

Evidence includes a report from the commune to the Thanh Chuong District People's Committee stating that an inspection (dated December 26, 2018) had been conducted but no illegal mining activities were detected (Document No. 107/BC-UBND.DC dated December 27, 2019, regarding the inspection and handling of cases of illegal mining activities (white stone mining) in the commune).

However, it is crucial to clarify the Thanh Son Commune People's Committee's statement that "the matter was reported to the District Police, and the District Police inspected the site, but it was not resolved definitively," as directed by the District People's Committee. This information was not only shared with reporters from Nghe An Newspaper by the Thanh Son Commune People's Committee and the Commune Police, but was also included in the minutes of the on-site inspection by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment's task force on June 4, 2019, stating: "According to the report by Mr. Lo Van Mao - Head of the Commune Police - the matter was reported to the District Police (who inspected the site), but it was not resolved definitively."

Furthermore, the role of the border guard force in managing the border area of ​​Thanh Son commune needs to be considered. Given the extremely troubling situation that has occurred, this force cannot remain uninvolved in its responsibility...

"According to the report by Mr. Lo Van Mao - Head of the Commune Police - the matter was reported to the District Police (who conducted an inspection) but it was not resolved completely."

Excerpt from the on-site report dated June 4, 2019

Excavators used by illegal miners to extract quartz ore. Photo: PV

Following this incident, in addition to investigating and strictly punishing the organizations and individuals involved according to the law, the competent authorities need to direct specialized agencies to conduct a thorough survey and assessment of this valuable resource. The survey should not only cover the Thanh Son commune, Thanh Chuong district, but the entire Vietnam-Laos border region to ensure strict management and prevent further resource depletion!