Worry about losing a livelihood
As Lao Dong has reported, Viet Cuong Concrete Company Limited (Viet Cuong Company) exploiting sand and gravel on the Rong River in Doan Ket Hamlet, Dan Tien Commune, Vo Nhai District has faced fierce opposition from local people.
The unit's use of excavators to dig into the riverbed has caused people to worry about the loss of resources and landslides on the banks. Up to now, the exploitation at the sand mine on the Rong River has been forced to be temporarily suspended.
On May 12, speaking with a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, a representative of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Thai Nguyen province confirmed that they had received the above information.
"The Department has discussed this issue with Vo Nhai district and first of all, let the district verify and handle it. However, the district has not yet received a report. The unit will check and re- inform", informed a representative of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Thai Nguyen.
While some issues related to exploitation on the Rong River of Viet Cuong Company are still waiting to be clarified, people in Doan Ket hamlet are still worried and worried about landslides on the farm.
With 3 soums of land planted with acacia trees near the edge of the Rong River, Mr. Nguyen Van Bai (Doan Ket hamlet) said that along the alluvial plain, there are nearly 100 households with cultivated land. The company's sand mining has made people worry about losing their livelihoods.
"This company has been exploited from 2012 and 2013 and then paused. The last round of April came back to operate. Previously, they only took the sand, causing landslides. Recently, bringing the excavator out in the middle of the river, dredging all the car to leave.
Ms. Pham Thi Phan (Doan Ket hamlet) with 5 hectares of land near the Rong riverbank is very worried when Viet Cuong Company returns to sand mining.
Ms. Phan said: "At the time of 2012, when the mine started operating, it was eroding.
Dialogue with the people
According to the reporter's investigation, when people gathered to protest the sand mine's activities, the People's Committee of Vo Nhai district held a dialogue on May 5. In addition to the authorities, there are 6/10 representatives of Viet Cuong Company representing 4 households in Doan Ket hamlet.
At the dialogue, Mr. Do Van Vinh (village Doan Ket) said that the company exploited but did not notify people. The exploitation of sand and gravel in the river bed area is at risk of landslides in the beach. Proposing the company to clarify the depth, width and area licensed to exploit.
Ms. Do Thi Mai suggested that the authorities consider and inspect the sand exploitation in the Rong River. Especially ensuring roads and cultivated land for local people.
Also at the dialogue, Chairman of the People's Committee of Vo Nhai District Bui Thi Sen asked Viet Cuong Company to exploit the boundaries, with commitment to prevent landslides and overcome in time if the incident occurred. The exploitation must be ensured in accordance with the regulations, does not hinder the flow and ensure the road for people. At the same time, coordinate with functional agencies to provide 2 sets of projects on mining in River to publicize before the people.
According to Ms. Vu Thi Hue - Vice Chairman of Vo Nhai District People's Committee, Viet Cuong Company has only been able to exploit the riverbed area, there are many locations on the shore that have not been agreed upon and compensated to the people. When it was put into exploitation, it encountered opposition, so the authorities requested a temporary stop and conducted a dialogue with the people.
"The district's current viewpoint is to require Viet Cuong Company to comply with regulations and make a commitment to make it public to Doan Ket hamlet," said the leader.
Viet Cuong Concrete Company Limited was granted License No. 1275 by Thai Nguyen Provincial People's Committee in 2011 to exploit sand and gravel as construction materials on the Rong River. In 2017, this unit was leased land for exploitation on an area of 57,000m2, in 2023 it leased an area of 53,000m2.
