Illegal gold mining in Vinh Linh mountainous area: Sweeping and destroying the camps and machines of "gold thieves"

Authorities destroy camps and machinery related to illegal gold mining activities in Khe De area, Sub-region 583, Vinh O commune, Vinh Linh district - Photo: NA

Accordingly, from April 15 to April 20, the Vinh O Commune Police, Vinh Linh District, in coordination with the Ben Hai River Basin Protection Forest Management Board, established 3 teams of 6 people each day to take turns approaching the Khe De area of ​​Sub-area 583 in Cay Tam Village, Vinh O Commune for inspection. In this area, many unmanned camps were discovered along with equipment and machinery for gold mining. Afterwards, the forces destroyed the camps, generators, water pipes and many other items.

The old gold mines still exist, so the subjects take advantage of them to illegally re-exploit gold in Khe De area, Vinh O commune, Vinh Linh district - Photo: NA

In addition to the gathering point at Sub-areas 582 and 583 of Vinh O commune, illegal gold mining also occurred in Sub-area 575H in Vinh Ha commune, where there are still 9 gold mines that were dug long ago and are now the operating area of ​​gold thieves. Here, the authorities recorded 6 water tanks created by the subjects using soil-filled sacks, lined with tarpaulin inside to contain chemicals for gold panning.

Director of the Ben Hai River Basin Protection Forest Management Board Nguyen Ngoc Hung said that, regarding the illegal gold mining in forest areas under the management of the forest, from the beginning of 2025 until now, the unit has coordinated with local authorities to organize 11 raids, destroying 19 camps and many machines.

However, gold mining is still happening because there are still many large gold mines that were previously used for exploration, so people from other provinces are hired to mine illegally. Therefore, we have requested the Department of Agriculture and Environment to submit a plan to the competent authority to completely destroy these gold mines, and at the same time provide instructions on how to handle chemicals in the tanks according to regulations.

In addition, the unit has also requested the police to clarify a number of subjects believed to be involved in operating illegal gold mining here. At the same time, set up checkpoints in the above-mentioned Sub-areas 582, 583 and 575H to patrol, protect the forest and prevent gold thieves.

Regarding this issue, previously, Quang Tri newspaper had an article "Gold mining booms again in the mountainous forest area of ​​Vinh Linh district" reflecting that recently, in Khe De area of ​​Vinh O commune, Vinh Linh district, a series of camps with the sound of engines every day have reappeared next to gold mines dug deep into the mountains.

It is worth mentioning that the above situation occurred in a sophisticated and systematic manner with the assistance of local people, so detection and handling encountered many difficulties.

Nguyen An

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/khai-thac-vang-trai-phep-tai-vung-rung-nui-vinh-linh-truy-quet-pha-huy-lan-trai-may-moc-cua-vang-tac-193101.htm