Breaking the camp, burning the machinery of gold bandits
After Lao Dong Newspaper published a series of articles investigating the situation of gold bandits operating openly in Vinh O special-use forest (Vinh Linh district), from April 15 to April 20, the authorities of Quang Tri province have deployed many searches.
On April 15, Vinh O Commune Police coordinated with the Ben Hai River Basin Protection Forest Management Board to approach Khe De area (Cay Tam village, Vinh O commune, sub-zone 583), discovering many unmanned camps with equipment for gold mining. The authorities destroyed the camps, explosives, water pipelines and other items. In particular, a "command" camp on the top of the mountain, with a phone signal, was also dismantled.
From April 16 to April 20, 3 working groups (about 6 people each) were sent to the patrol forest every day. In addition to Vinh O, illegal gold mining also occurs in Vinh Ha commune. The concentrated locations in sub-areas 582, 583 (Vinh O) and 575H (Vinh Ha) - where there are a total of 9 gold mines that have been dug for a long time, still exist and are the area of gold bandits.
In the gold mines, the authorities recorded 6 water tanks created by gold bandits by loading soil sacks and lining them with tarpaulins to pour chemicals to serve the gold cup. Mr. Ho Van Sanh - Head of Cay Tam village - was concerned that the tank could leak, affecting the environment and requested urgent handling.
Proposal to collapse the gold tunnel, clarifying the responsibility of cadres
Mr. Tran Van Tang - Chairman of Vinh O Commune People's Committee informed that this unit has directed the Commune Police force to coordinate with the Ben Hai River Basin Protection Forest Management Board to handle illegal gold mining locations in the area. "Currently, we have basically pushed the subjects out of the forest, we will strengthen management and clarify the responsibility of related individuals and groups" - Mr. Tran Van Tang said.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung - Director of the Ben Hai River Basin Protection Forest Management Board - said that from the beginning of 2025 until now, the unit has coordinated with the Vinh O and Vinh Ha Commune Police to organize 11 sweeps, destroying 19 camps and many machines. However, the forest protection force is still subjective in the patrol and control process.
Mr. Hung said that the reason for the recurrence of gold bandits is that there were previous gold exploration activities, and there are still 9 large mines in existence. The "fts owners" have invested in equipment and hired highly skilled people from Thai Nguyen and Quang Nam to exploit professionally.
"We have requested the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Tri province to submit to competent authorities for demolition of gold mines, and at the same time instruct on the treatment of chemicals in containers in accordance with regulations" - Mr. Hung said.
In response to information provided by Lao Dong Newspaper about the gold mining sites located near Vinh Ha and Vinh O Forest Protection Stations, Mr. Hung said that he had temporarily suspended the operation of the station Deputy Head in charge of the area and requested the review of related individuals and groups for not promptly detecting and preventing illegal activities.
In addition, the Ben Hai River Basin Protection Forest Management Board has also requested the police to clarify a number of people who are believed to be involved in the management of illegal gold mining in the above locations.
Currently, the Protective Forest Management Board has established 3 checkpoints in sub-areas 582, 583 (Vinh O) and 575H (Vinh Ha) - where there are gold mines. Working groups are on duty 24/7 , including holidays, to patrol, protect forests and prevent gold bandits.
It is known that the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Tri province and the People's Committee of Vinh Linh district have issued a document requesting clarification, rectification and handling of responsibilities for organizations and individuals related to the illegal gold mining situation in Vinh O.
Previously, from information provided by readers, from the end of March 2025 and the beginning of April 2025, a group of reporters from Lao Dong Newspaper were present in Vinh O commune to verify information about gold bandits traveling in protective forests. After many days of investigation, the reporter group found clues and approached Khe De area (Cay Tam village, Vinh O commune, sub-zone 583), where they witnessed gold bandits setting up many willinglies in the middle of the forest to illegally mine gold.
