The People's Committee of Que Phong District will investigate and address the issue raised in the report.
(Baonghean) - The Nghe An Weekend Newspaper, issue dated March 23, 2014, published an article titled "Que Phong: Illegal Gold Mining Recurs," reflecting that after several crackdowns by authorities, illegal mining activities in Que Phong district had temporarily subsided. However, in early March, illegal mining activities continued day and night on the Quang River, in the section flowing through Tin Pu village, bordering Cam Muon and Quang Phong communes, threatening the lives of local people, shrinking arable land, and causing serious water pollution.
Following the directive of the Que Phong District Party Committee in Official Letter No. 559-CV/HU dated March 31, 2014, regarding the verification, clarification, and handling of issues reflected in the newspaper article, the Que Phong District People's Committee directed the relevant department to conduct an investigation and verification. On April 2, 2014, the Que Phong District People's Committee issued Official Letter No. 169/UBND.TN responding to the issues raised in the newspaper article with the following content:
1. Regarding the handling of illegal gold mining in Quang Phong and Cam Muon communes in 2013.
Faced with the rampant illegal gold mining in the district, involving numerous individuals and social groups, the District People's Committee established five inspection teams to crack down on illegal gold mining in Quang Phong and Cam Muon communes from January to July 2013 (two of which were in coordination with the Provincial Police). Through these inspections and raids, 152 makeshift camps were dismantled, burned, and destroyed; 76 Dong Phong generators and other equipment used in illegal gold mining, 17 rock crushers, and 8 rock drills were confiscated, destroyed, and rendered ineffective; approximately 3,000 liters of diesel fuel, over 5,000 meters of water pipes, and 5,000 square meters of tarpaulin were destroyed; 52 gold mining tunnels and wells were demolished; and 6 excavators were expelled from Cam Muon and Quang Phong communes. At the same time, the district police have deployed forces to protect the area, which has been a hotspot for illegal gold mining since July 2013.
2. Regarding the handling of illegal gold mining on the Quang River (Tin Pu village, Quang Phong commune).
Following reports from the public about a group using machinery and equipment (including two excavators and one gold screening machine) to illegally mine gold on the Quang River, specifically the section flowing through Tin Pu village, Quang Phong commune, and a report from Nghe An Newspaper, on March 24, 2014, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Que Phong district issued Decision No. 60/QD-UBND establishing an inter-agency team to inspect mining activities in the area. The inspection revealed that the illegal gold mining operation belonged to Mr. Nguyen Thuan Hoa, residing in Dong Vinh ward, Vinh City. The inspection team destroyed the makeshift shelters, ordered Mr. Nguyen Thuan Hoa to immediately cease illegal mining activities in the area, level the land, and restore the surface of the area used for illegal gold mining. The inspection team then proceeded to enforce the seizure of the two excavators and other equipment used for illegal gold mining, bringing them to the Quang Phong commune People's Committee office for processing.
People's Committee of Que Phong District
