Lesson 1: Improving the effectiveness of State management of minerals
(TN&MT) - Since the 2010 Mineral Law came into effect, it has helped localities effectively manage and exploit mineral resources, partially meeting the demand for raw materials for socio-economic development, contributing to increasing revenue for the state budget, and creating jobs for local people.
Mining put into order
Quang Nam is a locality with rich and diverse mineral resources with nearly 45 types, many of which have large reserves and high economic value such as gold, sand, white sand, and construction stone. Rich mineral resources contribute to the socio-economic development of the locality but also pose significant challenges in management.
According to Mr. Tran Thanh Ha - Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Nam province, mineral exploitation activities in the locality before the 2010 Mineral Law took effect, the mineral law did not require exploration and assessment of mineral reserves before applying for a Mineral Exploitation License, so the documents and procedures were relatively simple, the time to implement and resolve the documents and procedures was relatively short, therefore the number of Mineral Exploitation Licenses granted locally was relatively large.
Meanwhile, the local characteristic is that minerals are widely distributed, mainly in the midlands and mountainous areas, where the terrain is difficult and not concentrated, making it difficult for all levels and sectors to manage and protect minerals. In addition, some businesses also take advantage of "loopholes" in law enforcement for profit.
Since the 2010 Mineral Law came into effect, it has created a legal corridor to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of mineral management in the province. The most prominent of these is the improvement of legal understanding, creating fundamental changes in the awareness and actions of party members, civil servants, people and enterprises in the management and protection of mineral resources and the implementation of obligations and responsibilities in mineral exploitation activities. People have participated in the protection of unexploited mineral resources and in supervising the implementation of mineral laws in the area.
In addition, the 2010 Mineral Law has clearly defined the functions and tasks of sectors and levels in the management and protection of mineral resources. In recent times, the authorities have detected, prevented and handled many violations in mineral exploitation (both illegal and licensed), prosecuted 10 cases with 23 defendants, thereby contributing to warning, deterrence and general education and prevention. Therefore, the situation of law violations by licensed enterprises and illegal mineral exploitation has decreased significantly, with no more hot spots.
In particular, licensed mineral exploitation activities have taken advantage of and exploited the local mineral potential, contributing to meeting the demand for raw materials for socio-economic development, increasing budget revenue, creating jobs for workers, minimizing illegal mineral exploitation, etc.
Add local management tools
Phuoc Son mountainous district has abundant mineral resources, especially small and scattered gold minerals with 8 planned mining areas distributed in 6 communes with a total area of 150 hectares. According to Mr. Vo Van Hieu - Deputy Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Phuoc Son district, since the Law on Minerals took effect and implemented documents of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council - Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of the province, the locality has promoted propaganda activities, disseminated legal documents on minerals, environmental protection (BVMT), and issued many inspection and supervision documents of the People's Council, strengthened management, coordinated blocking, urged the implementation of obligations, ... to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of mineral management activities.
Through propaganda, organizations and individuals operating in the mineral sector have become aware and voluntarily complied with the law, and people have participated in the protection of unexploited mineral resources as well as environmental protection. Regarding inspection and supervision, violations have been promptly corrected in order to gradually bring mineral management in the district in accordance with the law.
According to Mr. Vo Ngoc Tot - Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Dai Loc district, there are 13 enterprises operating in the district exploiting minerals under the granted licenses. Enterprises operating in mineral exploitation have made a commitment to comply with the provisions of the law on mineral exploitation activities, committed to installing surveillance cameras (recorder data must be stored for at least 45 days from the date of inspection) and weighing stations, and at the same time provide transmission lines and data to the District People's Committee and competent agencies and localities where mineral mines are located.
The protection of unexploited mineral resources and management of minerals after licensing have always been focused on and regularly directed by the People's Committee of Dai Loc district. In particular, recently, there has been a situation where sand and gravel prices have increased due to a lack of supply. The People's Committee of the district has directly directed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to coordinate with the locality where the mine is located, conduct field inspections and work with businesses, and propose putting the mine into operation to stabilize prices, contributing greatly to the supply of sand and gravel to the market, bringing the price of sand and gravel sold at the mine by businesses to a price according to the regulations of the Provincial People's Committee.
“Recently, the locality promptly rectified and suspended the operations of a violating enterprise in exploitation after receiving information from the press. This is a measure to deter and warn enterprises to strictly comply with the provisions of the law,” Mr. Tot informed.
Recognizing the work of protecting and exploiting mineral resources in the localities of Nui Thanh, Que Son, Dai Loc, Dien Ban, Nam Giang, Phuoc Son (Quang Nam)... such as Nui Tra, Dong Hoa Van, Chu Lai, Hung Long (Nui Thanh); Dai Hung, Nong Lam Dat Viet, Quang Cu, An Loc Vien (Dai Loc); Khe Rom quarry of FUTSAL Football Joint Stock Company (Nam Giang); Ho Huu, Thien An Khuong, Quang Phu, Hood mines containing Loc Dai water (Que Son)... and the majority of mineral exploitation mines in Phuoc Son district basically comply with the provisions of law, exploiting minerals safely, minimizing the impact on the environment. However, besides the positive aspects, mineral exploitation and management activities in Quang Nam still have many limitations, shortcomings that cause obstacles and loss of mineral resources that need to be overcome and removed.
From 2016 to present, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Nam province has conducted inspections at 75 organizations and units operating in mineral exploitation. Through inspections and examinations, 60 organizations and individuals have been administratively sanctioned for violating regulations on natural resources and environment in mineral exploitation activities, with a total fine of more than 6.5 billion VND. At the same time, the violating units were forced to pay back the illegal profits from mineral exploitation of 1.42 billion VND; 1 unit was suspended for 2 months.
Part 2: Identifying shortcomings
Source
Comment (0)