People protest
Since being licensed to operate at the end of 2025 to date, most of the time, Coc Ray land mine in Dau Cau 1 hamlet, Doc Lap commune has been in an inactive state.
The reason is that local people have repeatedly gathered to protest. From flocking to the mine, to petitions sent to provincial leaders at all levels.
Reflecting to Lao Dong Newspaper, people said that the mine area is located near natural water sources serving daily life and cultivation. If mining activities are implemented, the risk of landslides, environmental pollution and impacts on upstream forests may occur.
In addition, some households believe that the land acquisition process and project implementation still have contents that have not been fully and transparently informed.
On June 11, reporters worked with representatives of Bao Ngoc Trading and Construction Co., Ltd. - a unit licensed to exploit Coc Ray soil mine.
Business representatives provide relevant documents, including mineral exploitation licenses and documents on ensuring safety during exploitation.
According to Mineral Exploitation License No. 2318/GP-UBND issued by Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee on December 31, 2025, Bao Ngoc Trading and Construction Co., Ltd. is allowed to exploit soil for filling and foundation building materials at Coc Ray soil mine in Dau Cau 1 hamlet.
The mine has an area of more than 4.2ha, licensed exploitation reserves of over 915,700m3, maximum capacity of 210,000m3 per year. The exploitation period is 5 years from the date of licensing.
Material sources from the mine are identified to serve the Quang Uyen town bypass project (project name) and some other key projects in the area.
Businesses affirm that they have completed all procedures
According to the business, basic legal procedures and financial obligations have been completed. However, due to opposition from a part of the people, the mining operation has not yet been implemented.
Real-world records show that the mine area is located next to Provincial Road 207. Around the area, there are some open water points. According to research, the geology of the area is mainly clay, the ability to retain water is not high.
Regarding the incident, people's petitions have been sent to Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Le Hai Hoa.
In Conclusion Notice No. 2324/TB-VP after the citizen reception on May 7, 2026, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee affirmed that the Coc Ray soil mine exploitation project is of great significance in providing materials for the Quang Uyen bypass project and other key projects.
According to the conclusion, the process of advising on exploitation licenses was carried out in accordance with procedures and authority.
The project implementation area is production forest land, not protection forest as households mistakenly believe; the enterprise has also completed the obligation to pay replacement forest planting fees according to regulations.
Regarding concerns related to livelihoods and safety of people, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee severely criticized Bao Ngoc Trading and Construction Co., Ltd. for its inappropriate attitude in contacting people.
At the same time, he emphasized that if the construction process causes landslides of soil and rocks affecting people's production areas, the project will be suspended and the enterprise must compensate for all damages.
To resolve the petitions, the Provincial People's Committee assigned the People's Committee of Doc Lap commune to preside over and coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Environment and businesses to organize actual surveys of water sources at risk of being affected, with the participation of people's supervision.
The Department of Agriculture and Environment is assigned to review legal documents, survey geology, water sources and have an official written response, clearly explaining the contents that people are interested in within a maximum of 3 working days.
For investors, the head of the Provincial People's Committee requested to strictly comply with regulations on environmental protection and labor safety; review the act of arbitrarily leveling the ground when procedures are not fully completed; and at the same time strengthen coordination and dialogue with local authorities and people.
Along with that, the Office of the Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial Police are assigned to closely monitor the situation, verify the content of complaints and denunciations, and prevent the emergence of hot spots of security and order in the area.
