On November 7, Mr. Nguyen Thai Binh - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lao Cai province said that after storm No. 10, a gold sand mine with a reserve of more than 100,000 m3 overflowed into Lang Chut village, Van Ban commune, burying many houses and crops, affecting people's lives.
"This source of sand was formed by flash floods, natural landslides, the area was filled with about 3.5 hectares, with an average thickness of 1.5 meters," said Mr. Binh.
Immediately after the natural disaster, the Department directed the treatment of sand and gravel, clearing the flow, overcoming the effects of natural disasters, and at the same time requested the authorities to strictly manage mineral resources.
"We are coordinating with relevant departments and branches to synthesize reports, seek opinions from Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee and will have specific instructions in the coming time," Mr. Binh affirmed.
Mr. Nguyen Thuc Manh, Deputy Chief of Office of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee also said: Based on the report of Van Ban Commune People's Committee and the results of the actual survey of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Standing Committee of Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee met and agreed in principle to assign the Provincial People's Committee to direct the implementation of the next steps.
Accordingly, the People's Committee of Lao Cai province requested local authorities to strengthen management, resolutely prevent and strictly handle illegal sand mining, transportation and trading.
At the same time, the Department of Agriculture and Environment was assigned to preside over and coordinate with the People's Committee of the commune and relevant departments and branches to develop a plan for auctioning mineral exploitation rights, ensuring compliance with legal regulations.
The People's Committee of Lao Cai province will soon issue specific directives to organize implementation in the coming time.
As Lao Dong reported, storm No. 10 caused floodwaters to flow into Lang Chut village, Van Ban commune, causing many houses to be deeply flooded. When the flood receded, a thick layer of yellow sand covered houses and fields with a volume of about more than 100,000 m3, estimated at 30 - 35 billion VND.
According to local authorities, this amount of sand was formed due to landslides of soil, rocks and sand from the mountain slopes, flowing along the stream from It Noc village downstream of Lang Chut village.
The People's Committee of Van Ban commune has proposed planning the area into a sand mine to organize an auction.
