There is no illegal sand mining on Dau Tieng Lake causing landslides.

Through inspection, the authorities confirmed that there was no illegal sand mining on Dau Tieng Lake, and the landslide traces were determined to be old and had occurred before.

Old traces, happened before

On November 12, the representative of the Traffic Police Department of Ho Chi Minh City Police said that after receiving information from the people about ships and barges dredging sand on Dau Tieng Lake, the Traffic Police Department of Ho Chi Minh City Police conducted a field inspection. Through the inspection, the authorities have not yet discovered any ships and barges dredging sand outside the area licensed by the authorities. Regarding the landslide situation, the Traffic Police said that the traces were mainly old, occurring in the past.

The ship is believed to be illegally mining sand, causing landslides in the Dau Tieng lake area. Photo: TL

Previously, on November 11, many images and clips appeared on social networks recording illegal sand mining in the Dau Tieng lake area.

In addition to providing images of sand-sucking ships and barges, the article also reflects the serious landslide situation, thereby requesting the authorities to take action. It is known that the reflected area belongs to Minh Hoa commune, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Dau Tieng district, Binh Duong province), now Minh Thanh commune, Ho Chi Minh City.

The licensed sand mining location on Dau Tieng Lake is about 11 km away from the dam and reservoir headworks, so it does not affect the safety of the project. Photo: HDT

Regarding the work plan in the coming time, the Traffic Police Department said that it will continue to coordinate with relevant units to increase patrols and controls on Dau Tieng Lake. If any violations are detected, they will be strictly handled according to the law in the spirit of "no exceptions, no forbidden zones".

Previously, the Traffic Police Department had organized propaganda, regularly exchanged and provided information and documents on sand mining licenses, sand mining licenses, and the number of registered ships. From there, the authorities carried out propaganda work, distributing leaflets on "illegal sand mining, transportation, and trading" to people and businesses operating on Dau Tieng Lake to raise awareness of compliance with the provisions of the law on environmental and resource protection.

The authorities conducted inspections and invited individuals and organizations with water vehicles equipped with sand pumping equipment that were not licensed for exploitation and operating within the scope of Dau Tieng Lake irrigation works to write a commitment not to illegally exploit sand and to remove the sand pumping equipment from the vehicle.

In the coming time, this Force will continue to coordinate with relevant units to patrol and control this lake. If violations are detected, they will be handled.

Strengthen inspection and strict handling

The representative of Dau Tieng Lake management added that Dau Tieng Lake sand is a natural mineral, formed during the process of sedimentation and washing from the basin in the upper Saigon River through the branches in the lake area, with large annual reserves.

Dau Tieng Lake has large reserves of good quality sand and its exploitation does not cause landslides like sand exploitation on rivers. Photo: Tran Trung.

This is the main and important source of construction materials, serving the socio -economic development and people's livelihood in the area. Especially serving key infrastructure projects. The positive aspect of sand mining in Dau Tieng Lake is that there is an abundant mineral source, large reserves, diverse types, good quality and the mining does not cause landslides like sand mining on the river.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Manh, Deputy Director in charge of Dau Tieng - Phuoc Hoa Branch (under Southern Irrigation Exploitation Company Limited) who is assigned to directly manage Dau Tieng Lake, said that in early July 2025, the water level of Dau Tieng Lake was at its lowest level of the year (+19.18 m), the lake water showed signs of turbidity due to small flows, cassava cultivation and sand mining.

Currently, Dau Tieng Lake has entered the final period of the rainy and flood season. The weather and hydrometeorological situation shows that in 2025, there will be more rain and it will last longer than the average of many years. Especially the heavy rains at the beginning of the season will cause soil erosion in the basin, washed away by the flow into the lake. Some locations on the semi-flooded land along the lake below the elevation of + 24.4 m will be eroded.

Southern Irrigation Exploitation Company Limited requests the Department of Agriculture and Environment of provinces and cities in the region to coordinate to strengthen inspection and strictly handle cases if violations are detected. Photo: HDT

The Southern Irrigation Exploitation Company Limited has inspected and required sand mining units to comply with the permitted location, depth, volume and time; install weighing stations and surveillance cameras; boats must be registered, have positioning devices, and not leak oil. Wharves must ensure the environment, not be built solidly, and vehicles must not be gathered on the dam. When necessary, the Company will temporarily stop mining to protect water resources.

Dau Tieng Reservoir is a particularly important project, related to national security. Southern Irrigation Exploitation Company Limited requests the Department of Agriculture and Environment of provinces and cities in the region to coordinate to strengthen inspection and strictly handle cases if violations are detected, and report to the Provincial People's Committee to consider suspending or revoking licenses for units that do not comply with regulations," Mr. Nguyen Huu Manh emphasized.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/khong-co-viec-khai-thac-cat-trom-tren-ho-dau-tieng-gay-sat-lo-d783794.html