Illegal mining case in Quynh Luu: Additional fine of 350 million VND

On September 9, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district said that the district has just issued a decision to supplement the decision on administrative sanctions against Mr. Le Huy Dung (41 years old), residing in Nghi Long commune, Nghi Loc district. Mr. Dung is the person who organized illegal mineral exploitation at Thung Buong cliff, Quynh Tan commune (Quynh Luu), which Nghe An Newspaper has reported.

Accordingly, Mr. Dung was fined an additional 350 million VND. This amount is equivalent to the seized evidence, which is a HUYNDAI ROBEX 2900LC-7 excavator. This excavator is owned by a business located in Hoang Mai town and was used by Mr. Dung to illegally exploit minerals.

In addition, according to Mr. Dinh, the district also fined 4 million VND to a truck driver for illegally transporting minerals. The authorities are also completing the documents and handling the remaining 2 trucks. Thus, up to now, Mr. Le Huy Dung has been fined more than 1.3 billion VND.

Illegal mining in Thung Buong. Photo: TH

Previously, after Nghe An Newspaper reported, Quynh Luu district hadfined Mr. Dung 50 million VNDfor illegal mining in Thung Buong area. The volume of minerals exploited was determined to be 180 m³.

Mr. Dung has many aggravating circumstances, that is, after the violation, he evaded and concealed the violation; the administrative violation was on a large scale. In addition to the main fine, Quynh Luu district also decided to impose an additional fine, forcing Mr. Dung to pay 907 million VND to the State budget. This is an amount equivalent to the value of 1 excavator given by the Valuation Council of the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district. In addition, 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, inspection, 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. In addition, Quynh Luu district police are investigating further to continue handling the subjects.

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 in recent times, 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.

After Nghe An Newspaper published a report, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment sent a document requesting the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district to organize forces to inspect, verify, and handle the contents reported 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 cases 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 situation. 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 deliberately delaying the inspection and handling.