Bong Mieu gold capital closes mine, 'gold thieves' still plowing through devastation - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television

Recently, illegal gold mining in the gold capital of Bong Mieu (Tam Lanh commune, Phu Ninh district, Quang Nam province) has been rampant again, despite the fact that this gold mine has been closed.

In the Sim Hill area, many makeshift camps have been set up in the middle of the acacia forest. Here, many people use tools such as carts, shovels, grinders and dig through layers of soil and rock to illegally mine gold.

At the area where the Bong Mieu gold mine closure project is being implemented, although the authorities have cordoned off the area, used B40 mesh to barricade the area and posted a "no entry without permission" sign, inside, dozens of people are still digging through rocks and soil to select gold.

Ms. NTT did not hesitate to say that most of the people who go to the mine to collect gold are local people. The work of gold mining is very hard, but on average she only earns 100-300 thousand VND per day.

According to the report of Tam Lanh Commune People's Committee, recently, the authorities have regularly organized raids and chased away illegal gold miners. However, the situation of illegal gold mining is still very complicated.

Most recently, on March 24, the working group of Tam Lanh Commune People's Committee conducted an inspection and raid in Sung Mun area (Bong Mieu village). Here, the authorities destroyed 1 camp, 9 engines, 1 water pump, 3 generators and many other vehicles.

On March 18, the People's Committee of Tien Phuoc district reported to the People's Committee of Quang Nam province about the water pollution situation of Que Phuong river due to illegal gold mining activities in Bong Mieu.

Regarding the situation of illegal gold mining in the Bong Mieu gold capital, also in March, Mr. Phan Thai Binh - Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam province - requested the People's Committee of Phu Ninh district, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, and related departments and branches according to their functions and tasks to organize inspections and thoroughly handle mineral activities in the Bong Mieu area; manage and implement environmental restoration work on Bong Mieu gold mine according to approved project documents; strictly manage and strictly handle acts of waste discharge causing pollution of Bong Mieu river (the headwaters of Que Phuong river and Tien river through Tien Phuoc district).

Quang Nam provincial leaders also requested the provincial police to direct professional forces and local police to coordinate with provincial authorities and Phu Ninh district People's Committee to inspect and thoroughly handle illegal mineral activities in Bong Mieu area and strictly handle violators.

The project to close the gold ore mine at Bong Mieu mine was approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in Decision No. 488/QD-BTNMT dated March 15, 2022, and approved the adjustment of the volume in Decision No. 3218/QD-BTNMT dated November 22, 2022, with a total mine closure cost (estimated) of VND 14,117,788,000, with implementation period until the end of 2024.

After completion, the Provincial Construction Investment Project Management Board (investor) issued a written report and on December 18, 2024, the Department of Construction presided over and coordinated with the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Phu Ninh District People's Committee, Tam Lanh Commune People's Committee and the project investor to organize a field inspection and acceptance of construction items.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/thu-phu-vang-bong-mieu-dong-cua-mo-vang-tac-van-cay-xoi-tan-hoang-5043009.html