Mineral exploitation stopped after discovering cave at Dun mountain

On October 30, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province said that it had issued a document requesting the suspension of mineral exploitation activities at Dun mountain.

Mr. Do Minh Tuan - Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee directed relevant units and requested enterprises to completely stop mineral exploitation activities in Dun mountain area, Ha Long commune, Ha Trung district.

Dun Mountain in Ha Long Commune, Ha Trung District, Thanh Hoa Province - where the cave was discovered.

Thanh Hoa province's decision to stop operations is intended for competent authorities to complete procedures to demarcate protection zones for historical relics and scenic spots and demarcate areas where mineral exploitation is prohibited at Dun Mountain.

The Chairman of Thanh Hoa province also assigned the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to preside over and coordinate with relevant units to complete the dossier and procedures to demarcate the Dun mountain area as an area temporarily banned from mineral exploitation; report to the Provincial People's Committee to seek opinions from relevant ministries and branches, as a basis for submission to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval.

Through inspection, in Dun mountain cave there are many beautiful stalactites.

After the decision to approve the addition of Dun Mountain area as an area temporarily prohibited from mineral activities, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment is responsible for advising the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province to revoke the mineral exploitation license for the enterprise and carry out the work according to the provisions of the mineral law.

Previously, as reported by Giao Thong Newspaper, people in the villages of Gia Mieu, Khac Dung, and Nghia Dung (in Ha Long commune, Ha Trung district) said that behind the Trieu Tuong Temple area in the Trieu Tuong Temple relic site (ranked a national historical relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) is Dun Mountain.

In the cave floor area, there are some ceramic household relics, dating back to the historical period (archaeological traces). (Photo: Bui Van Hung).

On Dun Mountain, there are 4 entrances to the cave. Inside the cave, there are many beautiful stalactites, with great potential for developing a chain of spiritual and ecological tourism: Trieu Tuong Temple, Gia Mieu Communal House, Quan Hoang Trieu Tuong Temple, Ben Quan Lake, Truong Nguyen Thien Ton Tomb, Dun Mountain, Dragon Temple, Water Temple...

However, in early 2024, Tien Thinh Company started mining and processing stone, directly affecting the entrance to the Cave (the main entrance to the Cave is located on the east side of Dun Mountain) and the surrounding relic complex.

After receiving the information, on March 25, 2024, the interdisciplinary working group of Thanh Hoa province inspected the situation and confirmed that Giao Thong Newspaper reflected the truth.

The results show that Dun Cave (also known as Nui Dun Cave) located in Ha Long Commune, Ha Trung District is large in scale, with 4 connecting doors. This cave has many natural stalactites with interesting shapes, an underground water source flowing into the provincial relic of Ben Quan Lake, with great potential for tourism development.

In addition, in the cave floor area there are some historical ceramic household relics (archaeological traces) that need further research.

In September 2024, the Department of Culture - Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa also coordinated with Ha Trung district to organize a scientific workshop "Evaluating the location, historical and cultural values, and regional connections of Dun Mountain in the historical and cultural space of the national relic of Trieu Tuong Temple and Nguyen Dynasty relics in the area".

According to scientists, Dun Cave contains "dual" values ​​of natural and cultural heritage. Dun Mountain has a close connection, located in the space of Trieu Tuong Mountain area - where the national relic of Trieu Tuong Mausoleum and Temple is located.

This place contains relics and archaeological artifacts from both prehistoric and historical times, proving that many periods of time people used this cave as a temporary residence to avoid natural disasters, enemies or as a military base during historical wars.

In addition, the richness, diversity, beauty and uniqueness of the stalactite system in the cave will be an attractive destination for tourists if preserved.

Dun Mountain has a scale and area of ​​about 6.48 hectares, located in the Planning for exploration and exploitation of stone minerals for common construction materials in Thanh Hoa until 2020, with a vision to 2030.

In 2014, Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee granted a mineral exploitation license to Tien Thinh Company. In 2018, Thanh Hoa province adjusted the license with a mine area of ​​25,391m2 (of which: Mining area is 17,871m2, mining area is 7,520m2), exploitation period is 17 years and 9 months.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/chinh-thuc-dung-khai-thac-khoang-san-sau-khi-phat-hien-hang-dong-tai-nui-dun-192241030162752972.htm