Lao Dong Newspaper published an article "People worry about losing forests and water resources because of stone mining enterprises in Lao Cai", reflecting on the people of Khau Du village, Muong Lai commune protesting to Viet Long Stone Exploitation and Processing Company Limited (Viet Long Company) for mining stone at Lieu Do 2 stone quarry, adjacent to Khau Du village.
After that, the local government stepped in and organized a dialogue between people and businesses; at the same time, requested this business to temporarily suspend operations in the area bordering Khau Du village to find a solution to reach a consensus between the parties.
However, according to the reflection of Khau Du village residents, Viet Long Company has returned to exploitation without a consensus on the plan with the people.
On September 14, speaking with a reporter from Lao Dong newspaper, Mr. Du Manh Cuong - Chairman of Muong Lai Commune People's Committee confirmed that Viet Long Company has just sent a document to the local government informing them that it will continue mining activities from September 8.
According to the Chairman of Muong Lai Commune People's Committee, this enterprise exploits the licensed mine area, ensuring the mine safety corridor as well as related procedures and documents.
"The locality is stepping up propaganda work for the people. At the same time, we request Viet Long Company to absorb, continue researching, considering and resolving the opinions and recommendations of Khau Du village people", said Mr. Du Manh Cuong.
According to records, these days, Viet Long Company is mining rear-faced stone at the top bordering Khau Du village. The front is facing each other, businesses are adjusting to find a reasonable solution.
Mr. Nong Van Ben - Head of Khau Du village said: Currently, people are very confused, propaganda and security and order in the village are being strengthened.
"If the mining enterprise causes rocks to fall into the residential area, it will easily cause people to protest collectively," Mr. Ben worried.
According to the Head of Khau Du village, through the working sessions, the villagers expressed their wish to have the company reduce or donate about 2.8 hectares of the mountain top and mountain frontage adjacent to the village that have been licensed from the exploitation area to keep the green color and water source.
Regarding this, Mr. Luong Van Phin - Director of Viet Long Company said that the company has paid the full exploitation rights since 2011. The total investment cost is up to 150 billion VND. Currently, the company's business activities are suffering great losses.
The enterprise has temporarily suspended and not exploited the mountain peaks and areas adjacent to Khau Du village since 2018 to adjust the project. When all the procedures are complete, the new enterprise will start exploiting from August 2025.
On August 11, people came to the company's headquarters to protest against the exploitation. The enterprise has temporarily suspended operations and coordinated with competent authorities to determine that the exploitation does not affect the people.
"Up to this point, the company has had to temporarily suspend production activities for more than a month, causing great economic losses. Therefore, we will resume mining activities," informed the Director of Viet Long Company.
Mr. Phin pledged that during the exploitation process, the enterprise must strictly comply with regulations, exploitation processes, and dumping locations, ensuring that it does not affect the people of Khau Du village living at the foot of the mountain or border areas.
