Lao Dong has published an article reflecting on the sand and gravel mining activities of Mai Linh Construction Company Limited (Mai Linh Company) on Cong River through Minh Duc Commune, Pho Yen City, causing landslides on the banks, making people worried.
According to local people, Mai Linh Company regularly sends sand and gravel mining dredgers close to the shore to dig, causing large areas of land and crops to be eroded and washed away by the river. The ecological environment is affected.
In the mining license No. 3555 issued by the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen province to Mai Linh Company, it is required that during the mineral exploitation process, technical measures must be strictly implemented to ensure no riverbank erosion.
In case of signs of unsafety, mining activities must be stopped and a remedial plan must be developed.
Meanwhile, Decree 53/2024/ND-CP also clearly states that in case of sand and gravel exploitation on the river and there is a phenomenon of bank erosion in the operating area, the exploitation must be stopped and reported to the competent authorities.
However, according to the reporter's records at the end of October 2024, the dredger of Mai Linh Company was operating vigorously near the bank of Cong River. The roar of the dredger digging sand and gravel from the riverbed to the transport boat echoed throughout the river.
As sand and gravel are dug up from the riverbed, the land along the Cong River bank collapses and is swept away by the water. Despite the ongoing erosion, dredgers continue to mine without stopping.
Witnessing the familiar riverbank gradually being swallowed by the river, Mr. Chu Duc Sinh, Dam Muong 12 hamlet, Minh Duc commune, could not help but feel heartbroken. Every day, the anxiety and worry of losing his land is always present.
Mr. Sinh said: "The erosion of the Cong River bank has been simmering since the beginning of 2024, but since June, this situation has increased as businesses have stepped up sand mining activities.
I'm worried that if this situation continues, not only the riverside land but also people's gardens will disappear."
On November 4, at a meeting with Lao Dong reporter, Mr. Tran Van Hung - Chairman of Minh Duc Commune People's Committee confirmed that the area where Mai Linh Company's sand and gravel mining ship is operating is within the licensed scope.
However, after viewing some images of the reporter recording sand mining dredgers close to the shore causing landslides, Mr. Hung said that some landslide locations were in the planned mining area and are currently not allowed to be exploited.
Meanwhile, Mr. Vu Van Thao - Director of Mai Linh Company affirmed that this unit operates within the licensed area and ensures legal regulations.
Also at the meeting, when the reporter asked to go on a field trip to check the location, boundary markers of the mining area, and the situation of landslides on the banks of the Cong River, the leader of the Minh Duc Commune People's Committee asked to leave the working content and arranged to go on a field trip another day.
Mai Linh Company was licensed by the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen province to exploit sand and gravel on Cong River since 2017, and will officially start operating in 2022.
The exploitation area is 33ha, with a reserve of 200,454m3 of sand and gravel. The exploitation capacity is 12,000m3/year, and the exploitation period is 10 years.
