The People's Committee of Tuong Duong District is addressing the issue raised in the report.
(Baonghean)The Nghe An newspaper published an article on April 3rd and 4th, 2013, titled "The distressing problem of illegal gold mining in Tuong Duong".
In accordance with the directives regarding the handling of several reported incidents as stated in Official Letter No. 1873-CV/TU dated April 4, 2013, from the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee and Official Letter No. 292-CV/HU dated April 8, 2013, from the Tuong Duong District Party Committee, on April 26, 2013, the People's Committee of Tuong Duong District issued Official Letter No. 67/BC-UBND.VX, the main content of which is as follows:
The People's Committee of Tuong Duong district has established an inspection team to verify the content of the news article reflecting the situation of illegal gold mining in Yen Na, Yen Tinh, Yen Hoa, and Yen Thang communes, causing environmental pollution and affecting the lives and livelihoods of the people.
The District People's Committee has also seriously implemented solutions, issued directives, and organized crackdowns. Although the results have not yet met the requirements, the "hot spots" have been basically resolved, with the following specific results:
As of March 15, 2013, the district had 18 licensed mineral enterprises (21 mining sites) and many unexploited mining sites, including: scattered alluvial gold deposits along streams and ravines in most communes; hill gold deposits mainly in Xan and Huoc Co villages, Huu Khuong commune; Pu Phen hill area in Yen Na, Yen Hoa, and Yen Tinh communes; granite deposits in Luu Kien commune; and antimony ore deposits in Yen Thang...
Several hotspots frequently experience illegal mining activities, such as: gold mining in the communes of Yen Na, Yen Hoa, Huu Khuong, Nga My, Yen Thang; sand and gravel mining in the Lam River; etc. The main methods of extraction involve using Dong Phong generators, water pumps, and other rudimentary tools such as hoes, shovels, and sieving tables to maximize mineral recovery. Although the district has established numerous inter-agency teams to conduct raids, expel offenders, and strictly punish violations, organizations and individuals continue to violate regulations due to profit motives, leading to fatal accidents in 2011 and 2012 in Tam Dinh and Nga My communes.
Following the review in accordance with the spirit of Central Resolution No. 4, the District People's Committee has focused on resolving and proposing solutions; establishing an inter-agency inspection team to conduct raids and expulsions in the communes of Yen Thang, Luong Minh, Xa Luong, Yen Hoa, Yen Tinh, Luu Kien, Nhon Mai... in 6 campaigns, discovering 42 illegal gold mining and panning operations, seizing 7 Dong Phong generators, 2 suction heads, and destroying 16 Dong Phong generators, 3 rock crushers, 2 drilling machines, 3 wheelbarrows, and dismantling 33 temporary camps of those engaged in illegal mining activities. Administrative violation reports were filed and decisions were made to handle 5 cases with a total fine of 50 million VND, and a request was made to the Provincial People's Committee to fine 1 case between 60-80 million VND (due to exceeding the district's authority). Disciplinary action was taken against 2 commune-level leaders, and the annual ranking of units and officials involved in illegal mining activities was downgraded. To date, there has been virtually no illegal mining activity.
The District People's Committee also requested the Provincial Party Standing Committee and the Provincial People's Committee to direct relevant departments and agencies to delineate areas where mining is prohibited and areas requiring protection of mineral resources, and to allocate funds for the protection of unexploited mineral resources; and to review the planning of the three types of forests to allocate land for production to ethnic minorities.
People's Committee of Tuong Duong District
