Illegal mining in Quynh Luu: Nearly 1 billion VND fined

Regarding the statusIllegal mining in Quynh Tan commune (Quynh Luu district),Regarding the incident that Nghe An Newspaper reported on, on August 18, speaking with reporters, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh - Vice Chairman of Quynh Luu District People's Committee said that the locality has taken drastic actions to strictly handle the incident.

According to Mr. Dinh, after getting involved, the district identified Mr. Le Huy Dung (41 years old, Nghi Long commune, Nghi Loc district) as the person who organized the illegal mineral exploitation. The district made a record and temporarily detained 2 excavators.

Recently, Mr. Hoang Van Bo - Chairman of Quynh Luu District People's Committee issued a decision to administratively fine Mr. Le Huy Dung 50 million VND forExploitation of common construction materials without the use of industrial explosives without a license from a competent state agencyin Thung Buong area. The mined mineral block was determined to be 180m3.

An excavator is still at the scene. Photo: Tien Hung

Mr. Dung has many aggravating circumstances, which are that after the violation, he evaded and concealed the violation; the administrative violation was on a large scale. In addition, Quynh Luu district also decided to impose an additional fine, forcing Mr. Dung to pay 907 million VND to the state budget. This amount is equivalent to the value of an excavator as determined by the Valuation Council of the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district. This excavator is one of the exhibits that Mr. Dung used to exploit minerals.

Not only that, Quynh Luu district also forced this person to implement solutions to improve and restore the environment of the exploited area, bringing the exploited area to a safe state; forced to pay the cost of requesting appraisal, testing, measurement and verification to handle the violation. At the same time, confiscated the entire value of illegally exploited minerals converted into money, which is 9 million VND.

“Thus, the total amount of the main fine, additional fines and remedial measures applied is VND966 million. However, this is not the final fine, because there is still one more excavator,” the Vice Chairman of the District People’s Committee added.

A convoy of trucks lined up on the road leading to an illegal mine. Photo: TH

According to Mr. Dinh, the remaining excavator that the district is temporarily holding is smaller, so it is estimated to be worth between 300 and 400 million VND. Thus, Mr. Dung will be fined an additional amount of money equivalent to redeem this vehicle. "In addition, we are also examining 2 trucks carrying soil for further investigation. We are also directing the Quynh Luu District Police to further investigate and continue to handle the subjects," said Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh, adding that the Thung Buong stone mine has been approved by the Provincial People's Committee to close the mine for Binh An Construction and Trading Company, which has now expired. The District People's Committee has also reported and in the coming time will coordinate with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to inspect and handle the mine closure and environmental restoration of the company according to regulations.

Previously, on July 2, 2022, Nghe An Newspaper had an article:“The pain of illegal mineral exploitation in Quynh Tan commune (Quynh Luu)”.The content reflects that recently, the situation of mineral exploitation and transportation in Quynh Tan commune has been very complicated. The exploitation is sometimes even public, challenging the local government. The exploitation process not only causes loss of resources, negatively affects the landscape environment and traffic infrastructure but also causes public outrage.

Illegal mine. Photo: TH

After Nghe An Newspaper published an article reflecting the issue, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment sent a report to the Provincial People's Committee, Quynh Luu District People's Committee and related units. According to the report of this Department, in order to protect unexploited minerals in the Len Thung Buong area, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment sent official dispatches to the Provincial Police Department of Environmental Police, Quynh Luu District People's Committee and Quynh Tan Commune People's Committee requesting to promptly inspect and handle contents related to violations in mine closure activities (if any), and at the same time protect unexploited minerals in the Len Thung Buong area.

“However, the content of Nghe An Newspaper's reflection above shows that there are illegal mineral exploitation activities in the Thung Buong area, causing public outrage and challenging the local government. To strengthen the state management of minerals, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment requests the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district to organize forces to inspect, verify and handle the contents reflected by Nghe An Newspaper. At the same time, closely and effectively coordinate with the Provincial Police, relevant Departments and branches in the process of inspecting, detecting and handling illegal mineral exploitation activities; in case of exceeding authority, it is recommended to report to the Provincial People's Committee to direct the Provincial Police to provide support forces and promptly handle the matter,” the document of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment stated.

Also in this document, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment also requested the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district to seriously implement the protection of unexploited minerals in the area. Handle the responsibility of organizations and individuals when illegal mineral exploitation occurs in the area without handling it or letting it continue for a long time, or receiving information reflecting on illegal mineral exploitation in progress but not taking measures to resolve it, or intentionally delaying the inspection and handling.