Many years ago, mineral exploitation activities in Thieu Hoa district were very complicated with many violations. With the drastic direction and many strong solutions implemented by the Party Committee and the government, mineral exploitation activities of enterprises and units in the area have become more and more regular in recent times.
In Thieu Hoa district, there are 2 rivers flowing through, Chu River and Ma River. Accordingly, on Chu River, there are 6 licensed sand and gravel mining sites; on Ma River, there are 2 licensed mining sites. Along with that, the whole district has 10 sand gathering sites and 4 stone mining sites licensed by the Provincial People's Committee for exploitation and land lease for mineral exploitation. According to the assessment of functional units, the exploitation process over the past many years has caused the reserves of exploited sand resources to decrease significantly; on Chu River and Ma River, there are many weak dike sections and curved sections; the assessment points with mineral reserves that have been surveyed and evaluated, according to regulations, have all been exploited by units; mineral exploitation has affected the river banks, flows, and hydrology, causing landslides affecting agricultural land (mine 2, Tan Chau commune). Therefore, on the 2 rivers, there are currently no suitable locations for exploration and exploitation, other mineral locations.
Faced with the above situation, in order to improve the effectiveness of State management of mineral resources, especially sand and gravel mining activities on riverbeds, the People's Committee of Thieu Hoa district has issued many documents directing this activity; at the same time, strengthening the inspection and examination of mineral resource exploitation. In 2022 and the first 4 months of 2023 alone, the People's Committee of Thieu Hoa district has coordinated with departments, branches and sectors to conduct planned and irregular inspections when there is information reflecting the compliance with legal regulations for 8 sand mines and 10 sand gathering sites in the district.
Through inspection, there was a time when up to 6 mining units had to stop operations due to failure to ensure procedures, as well as to overcome the consequences of previous exploitation. Also through inspection, the District People's Committee resolutely handled units that deliberately violated activities in the field of mineral resources. For example, on December 28, 2022, the Chairman of the Thieu Hoa District People's Committee issued Decision No. 5272/QD-XPHC to administratively sanction Vinh An Joint Stock Company (located in Dai Dong village, Thieu Giao commune) for exploiting minerals outside the mining schedule; not enough markers were placed in the area permitted for mineral exploitation according to regulations, with a total fine of 65 million VND. Recently, on February 22, 2023, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Thieu Hoa district issued Decision No. 472/QD-XPHC to administratively sanction Mr. Nguyen Van Giao (village 5, Tan Chau commune) for exploiting sand and gravel from the riverbed without a mineral exploitation license from a competent State agency, the total volume of minerals exploited at the time of discovery was less than 10 m3...
The recent strengthening of inspection, detection and sanctioning of violations by organizations and individuals involved in mineral exploitation and trading in Thieu Hoa district has contributed to bringing mineral exploitation and trading activities in the area into order, and the illegal exploitation of minerals has been basically prevented and promptly handled. In addition, the appraisal and issuance of mineral operation licenses have been strictly implemented in accordance with the provisions of law.
In addition, the district also pays attention to environmental protection in mineral exploitation and directs implementation in accordance with regulations. The assessment of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thieu Hoa district shows that in 2022, the mining sites and staging areas in the district all complied well, with no complaints from the people or environmental incidents occurring during the mining process. For hazardous waste (oil cans, rags, etc.), the units have contracted with competent units to collect and treat it according to regulations. Household waste and other waste generated at mining sites are also collected, treated, transported, and disposed of by mining units, along with waste in localities where the mines are located. However, dust and gas generated at stone mines, sand mines, and sand staging areas have not been thoroughly treated, causing air pollution, especially on windy days, which is unsightly. Leaking water at staging areas and mines still flows out naturally without being treated...
To put mineral exploitation activities in the district into order, ensuring compliance with legal regulations, the representative of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thieu Hoa district said that in the coming time, together with the coordination with departments, branches and sectors, Thieu Hoa district will continue to deploy synchronous solutions from the district to the communes. In particular, focusing on promoting propaganda work; resolutely handling units that deliberately violate in mineral exploitation and illegal gathering affecting the environment, directly damaging technical infrastructure, disrupting security and order, causing public outrage. In particular, in communes and towns, the District People's Committee assigns responsibility to localities to carry out guard duty, control violations and vehicles, and install and monitor mining activities through a camera system...
Article and photos: Le Phong
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