Accordingly, recently, the media and some other untrusted channels such as Youtube have reported on the illegal exploitation of columnar basalt minerals in some districts of Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc provinces.
After reviewing, comparing information and discussing with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc provinces, it was found that there were illegal mining activities of columnar basalt in these provinces as reported by the media. However, some information reflected was re-broadcast from old information in 2022 that was directed by the People's Committees of the provinces to be handled and had a written response, and there was also information that continued to reflect that the handling was not completed.
Information reported by some media channels shows that there is illegal mining of columnar basalt, but the location and time of the mining activities are not specified. Many images and videos are similar to those reported by previous media channels, showing that they are not timely and objective.
The Vietnam Minerals Department requests the People's Committees of Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc provinces to direct departments and local authorities to inspect and handle (according to the provisions of Point b, Clause 2, Article 81 of the Law on Minerals. The People's Committees of districts are the level that implements measures to protect the environment, unexploited minerals, and other natural resources according to the provisions of law; ensure security, social order and safety in areas with minerals), review recent feedback information and report in writing specifically to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Vietnam Minerals Department.
According to objective assessment, the demand for basalt columns in the market today is very large, the main purpose is to use as raw materials for sawing and processing into paving stones, decorative stones, and also used for landscape decoration. However, because they are scattered and often covered by weathered soil, they are rarely exposed on the surface, so they are often discovered by people when improving agricultural land or discovered during the process of mining basalt construction quarries in the locality.
This type of columnar basalt has not been fully evaluated yet and has not been included in the industry's mineral planning, thus greatly affecting the management and licensing of mining.
For locations discovered by people, there is often no timely planning, investigation, and exploration to grant licenses, and illegal collection and consumption may occur in the market (the main role of management, detection, and prevention is at the commune and district levels); For locations discovered during the process of mining basalt construction stone for common construction materials, enterprises must report to competent authorities for permission to explore and evaluate reserves and apply for accompanying mineral exploitation licenses.
The issue of managing and licensing mineral exploitation and collection in the process of renovating agricultural land is a practical need today, especially for basalt in Dak Nong, Dak Lak, Binh Phuoc, Lam Dong and Dong Nai provinces. Therefore, the Vietnam Minerals Department recommends that it is necessary to consider and supplement regulations in the direction of simplifying procedures when amending Decrees or including them in the Law on Geology and Minerals to submit to the National Assembly.
Regarding the contents of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's response to the Dak Nong Provincial People's Committee related to columnar basalt, on May 13, 2019, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment issued Official Dispatch No. 2001/BTNMT-ĐCKS to the Dak Nong Provincial People's Committee on the investigation, assessment of minerals and delimitation of scattered and small-scale mineral areas of columnar basalt (pillar basalt) in Truong Xuan commune, Dak Song district, Dak Nong province. On August 15, 2022, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment issued Official Dispatch No. 4694/BTNMT-ĐCKS to the Dak Nong Provincial People's Committee on the management of minerals in the basalt mining area for common construction materials in Dak Nong province. On June 5, 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment issued Official Dispatch No. 4127/BTNMT-KSVN to the Dak Nong Provincial People's Committee, requesting the Provincial People's Committee to take measures to manage, avoid loss of state assets and protect unexploited minerals according to the provisions of the Law on Minerals.
Based on the above, to continue monitoring and proposing handling of information posted by the media, the Vietnam Minerals Department has issued an Official Dispatch to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc provinces to consider and implement state management of minerals in the localities.
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