Son La urgently handles illegal mineral exploitation after Nhan Dan Newspaper's reflection

Previously, Nhan Dan Newspaper reported: “After many days of penetrating the area of Lua village, Pi Toong commune, Muong La district, Son La province, we witnessed hills being torn apart, fields turned into deep holes, streams muddy... A "major surgery" into the ground for gold is taking place openly with sophisticated "protection", challenging local authorities and the law...".

Just a few days after the article of Nhan Dan Newspaper was published, reflecting the situation of "cutting up" hills and digging up streams to find gold in Lua village, Pi Toong commune, on the afternoon of June 19, the People's Committee of Son La province held an urgent meeting with full representatives of departments, branches, leaders of Muong La district and Pi Toong commune.

This is considered a rare meeting demonstrating strong political determination from Son La province's leaders on a complex, sensitive issue related to the suspicion that "interest groups" are protecting illegal gold mining activities.

At the meeting, Mr. Phung Kim Son, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Son La province reported: The Provincial People's Committee has organized many inspection teams to inspect the State management of minerals in Muong La district.

Immediately after the reflection of Nhan Dan Newspaper, the Chairman of Son La Provincial People's Committee convened a meeting.

Previously, in Pi Toong commune, the inspection team discovered signs of illegal mining on a relatively large scale, with new digging, new excavation, and new transportation. These findings coincided with the reflections of Nhan Dan Newspaper and the people.

On the morning of June 18, after the reflection of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Muong La district coordinated with the Provincial Police to reorganize the Working Group according to Decision No. 955/QD-UBND and replace Decision No. 577/QD-UBND of Muong La District People's Committee. Accordingly, the Working Group inspected 2 contents on illegal mineral exploitation and land use.

Currently, the machinery gathered in the Lua village area is no longer there, some have been temporarily detained by the authorities.

The Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Son La province added: A report has been sent to the People's Committee of Son La province, requesting the provincial police to investigate and clarify whether or not there is a group of interests behind the protection. If there is a serious violation, criminal proceedings must be taken, making a case a warning to the whole region.

At the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Viet, Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province emphasized: Regarding this content, it is recommended not to avoid but to frankly acknowledge it. There has been illegal mining in the area, with digging and excavation not in accordance with the law. Regarding the suspicion of interest groups, Son La Provincial Police is requested to promptly verify, investigate and clarify to respond to public opinion, ensuring publicity and transparency.

Also according to the direction of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Viet: The Inspectorate of the Department of Agriculture and Environment will conduct a comprehensive inspection of land management and use in Pi Toong commune. The responsibilities of organizations and individuals for violations will be clarified. At the same time, Pi Toong Commune Police are required to strengthen their grasp of the area, inspect and thoroughly handle violations.

Colonel Tran Thanh Son, Deputy Director of Son La Provincial Police, spoke at the meeting.

At the meeting, Colonel Tran Thanh Son, Deputy Director of Son La Provincial Police, shared: Immediately after Nhan Dan Newspaper reported, I worked directly with the leaders of Muong La district to assess the situation. At the same time, we agreed to establish a working group chaired by the leaders of the district People's Committee, the Provincial Police Department's professional department coordinated with specialized units of the district and commune to directly inspect the field.

The results did not detect any gold mining activities, nearly 10,000 square meters of agricultural land of 9 households had been deeply dug up, showing signs of violations in land use and mineral exploitation.

Criminal prosecution of land destruction or illegal gold mining must ensure legal basis. Due to the time factor and the material nature of this crime (Articles 227 and 228 of the Penal Code), it will be difficult to consolidate evidence, especially after the article was published, there was no more mining activity there.

The People's Committee of Son La province has requested urgent reclamation of areas excavated for gold mining in Lua village.

The Deputy Director of Son La Provincial Police also requested the media and people to provide information and images to facilitate the police investigation and verification. Any organization, individual, or even officer who violates the law will be strictly punished.

Another notable detail was pointed out by Mr. Phung Manh Hiep, Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong La district: Illegal activities have tended to increase since the merger and rearrangement of commune-level administrative organizations in March 2025.

Mr. Phung Manh Hiep added: The disruption in organization and personnel can create "gaps" in management and supervision at the base, which is already thin, and now thinner. In that context, without the drastic participation of the province and the supervision of the press, the risk of losing control is clearly visible.

Mr. Phung Manh Hiep, Chairman of Muong La District People's Committee spoke at the meeting.

Mr. Dang Ngoc Hau, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province, said: Along with urgently reclaiming the entire area of illegal mining, the province is also considering relocating households from areas with high risks of landslides and land destruction. On the one hand, it is to protect people's lives, on the other hand, it creates conditions for more effective management and supervision of minerals in the future.

With the guiding viewpoint at the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Viet, Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province, emphasized: Minerals are non-renewable resources. Do not loosen management because of difficulties. Must handle strictly and transparently to maintain discipline and strengthen people's trust.

Son La province has also assigned the provincial police to investigate and clarify the illegal gold mining in Lua village, Pi Toong commune.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Viet also requested departments and branches to strictly implement the instructions in previous documents. At the same time, the Working Group was assigned to report the results of the handling before June 28, before the end of the district-level organizational arrangement. This is an important milestone to evaluate the effectiveness of the entire political system in handling a specific, practical issue.

Propose to coordinate with the Geological Federations under the Vietnam Geological and Minerals Department to clearly define the coordinates and boundaries of gold mines in Muong La district and other localities. Propose to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to delimit small-scale scattered minerals (if eligible); propose to supplement the mineral planning for gold mines under the licensing authority of the Ministry.

The occurrence of illegal gold mining, especially the fact that the subjects still set up shacks, clearly shows the limitations in management and supervision.

The head of the People's Committee of Son La province also requested relevant departments and branches to urgently advise the province to speed up the progress of proposing the implementation of the task of applying remote sensing in mineral management and protecting unexploited minerals to be completed by 2025.

The quick and synchronous intervention after the press's reflection shows that: In a democratic and transparent society, the press is not only an information tool but also the "eyes and ears" of the people, a bridge connecting the people and the government. The fact that the People's Committee of Son La province organized a meeting and directed the straightforward handling is also a clear manifestation of the spirit of seeking knowledge and accepting press opinions.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province requested departments, branches, districts and communes to be resolute in the fight against illegal mineral exploitation in the area.

A fairly clear fact is that the story in Lua village, Pi Toong commune, Muong La district, does not stop at deep, jagged holes or muddy streams. It reflects the problem of resource management, where discipline, responsibility and courage in handling violations must be put first.

The illegal gold mining situation in Lua village, Pi Toong commune is an urgent case that is being urgently directed to clarify and strictly handle according to the law, not only contributing to preventing violations on the spot, but also serving as a warning lesson for other localities.

Urgent direction to clarify and strictly handle according to legal regulations will be the basis for localities in the country in general, and Son La province in particular, to do better in managing mineral resources, where resources are still quietly waiting to be exploited legally and sustainably.

Nhan Dan Newspaper will continue to monitor and report on this content.

QUOC TUAN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/son-la-khan-truong-xu-ly-tinh-trang-khai-thac-khoang-san-trai-phep-sau-phan-anh-cua-bao-nhan-dan-post888141.html