Mineral exploitation ensures sustainable development

In order to put mineral resource exploitation activities in the area into order, Thai Binh province regularly inspects, supervises, directs and promptly handles violations.

Leaders of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Provincial Border Guard Command inspected sand mining activities in the sea area of Thai Thuy district.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nho, Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said: Mineral resources are an important resource for socio -economic development, therefore, in order to protect mineral exploitation activities, the province has thoroughly grasped and strictly implemented the provisions of the law on mineral management. Based on the Law on Minerals, documents guiding the implementation of the Law on Minerals, the Law on Practicing Thrift and Combating Wastefulness, the province has developed documents under its authority, with orientations suitable to local conditions to organize law enforcement in mineral activities such as resource tax, mineral exploitation right granting fee, mineral exploitation right auction, environmental protection fee for mineral exploitation, documents and procedures related to mineral exploitation activities... The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has advised the Provincial People's Committee to promulgate a plan for exploration and exploitation of riverbed and coastal sand; a plan for transit wharves and trading of construction materials along rivers; Regulations on coordination of inspection and handling of violations in sand mining activities on rivers bordering the provinces and cities of Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Hai Phong; regulations on coordination of administrative management and KTKS activities on rivers bordering the three provinces of Ha Nam, Hung Yen, Thai Binh in mineral inspection and examination activities in the localities; regulations on coordination of sand mineral management in the border area between Nam Dinh and Thai Binh.

In 2022, the Department advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue 24 decisions approving the fee for granting the right to exploit water resources. In the first quarter of 2023, the Department appraised 5 water resource exploitation dossiers, submitted to the Provincial People's Committee to grant 5 water resource exploitation licenses, and issued 5 decisions approving the fee for granting the right to exploit water resources. Advised the Provincial People's Committee to establish a Council for appraising mineral exploration projects and reporting mineral exploration results under the licensing authority of the Provincial People's Committee. Issued 4 decisions recognizing the winning results of the auction of the right to exploit water resources of 4 sand mines in Tien Hai district. Submitted to the Provincial People's Committee the plan to auction the right to exploit water resources at Tien Duc sand mine (Hung Ha) and organized the implementation of the contents of the plan. Advised the Provincial People's Committee to terminate the validity of the license to exploit water resources and close the mineral mine granted to SHC Joint Stock Company for sand exploitation of the Red River in the sand mine area of Viet Thuan commune, Vu Doai commune (Vu Thu).

Sand mining activities in licensed areas in Thai Thuy district.

However, the management of sand and gravel in some localities has not received due attention and there are no effective management measures. Some communes have rented out sand and gravel storage yards without proper authority and have not been thoroughly handled, leading to some organizations, households and individuals taking advantage of illegal sand and gravel mining. Illegal sand mining on rivers and coastal areas in areas with unexploited minerals (areas not planned for licensing) still occurs, especially in border areas between provinces.

Faced with that situation, inspection and examination of mineral exploitation activities have been strongly implemented by all levels and sectors. The authorities have patrolled and inspected sand mining activities in Tra Ly riverbed, sand mining along Thai Thuy and Tien Hai coasts. Through inspection and examination, many petitions and recommendations from the people have been resolved, measures have been taken to prevent and resolutely handle violations of the law on mineral activities, ensuring the rights and obligations of units licensed to operate minerals and local people where mineral activities are conducted, thereby promoting mineral exploitation activities in the area in accordance with regulations. In 2022, 14 cases and 29 subjects of illegal sand mining and exploitation beyond the boundaries of the permitted mining area were detected and handled; 3 cases and 8 defendants were prosecuted; 11 cases were administratively fined with a fine of over 500 million VND.

Mr. Pham Trung Kien, Deputy Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thai Thuy district, said: Clearly identifying the consequences of illegal mining, Thai Thuy district has recently promoted the dissemination of the Law on Minerals; strengthened solutions to tighten the management and protection of mining in the area. Up to now, mining activities have gradually become regular, and illegal mining has been basically prevented. Thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of the district.

To improve the effectiveness of KTKS associated with environmental protection work in the province, in the coming time, the authorities need to strengthen inspection, examination, and handling of violations by organizations and individuals, and handle agencies or leaders who are irresponsible in allowing violations to occur in the management area. Resolutely enforce and clear all yards not included in the planning. Strengthen propaganda, dissemination, andeducation of laws on sand mining management; focus on management, timely detection, and denunciation of negative behaviors in management and mineral activities in general, and sand minerals in particular.

Minh Nguyet

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