The recent inspection conclusions by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment have revealed numerous violations in mineral resource exploitation in Dak Nong Province. These issues not only harm the environment but also raise concerns about transparency and the effectiveness of resource management.
The State of Mineral Exploitation Licensing
Since 2011, the Dak Nong Provincial People’s Committee has issued 86 mineral exploitation licenses without conducting auctions for exploitation rights. This includes 46 exploration permits and 40 official exploitation permits. For instance, Nam Hai Construction Company was granted a permit to exploit the Buon Nui basalt mine over an area of 12 hectares, nearly 8 hectares of which had not been approved before July 1, 2011 – violating government regulations.
Issues with Mineral Exploitation Fees
Inspectors found that many decisions approving mineral exploitation fees from 2014 to 2017 were based on the capacity stated in the license rather than actual reserves, which is against regulations. Notably, applying a rate of 100,000 VND/m³ for crushed stone in 2015 was deemed inappropriate when it should have been 130,000 VND/m³ according to regulations.
Additionally, Dak Nong Province arbitrarily designated areas exempt from auctioning exploitation rights for Antimony and Wolfram ores without approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, exceeding its authority under the Mineral Law.
Violations in Mine Closure Management
Several mines that ceased operations have encountered significant issues related to closure procedures. For example, the closure documentation for the basalt mine at the Dak To Reservoir Project, carried out by Company TNHH MTV 16, did not comply with regulations. The review of the mine closure proposal lacked a council meeting, and inspections of project items did not closely follow required content.
At the time of the inspection, there were still 11 exploitation licenses requiring closure, but complete documentation had not been submitted.
Calls for Rectification and Accountability
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s inspection team has made strong recommendations, urging the Dak Nong Provincial People’s Committee to improve management practices, especially regarding the designation of areas exempt from auctioning exploitation rights, fee calculations, and licensing activities. Organizations and individuals responsible for delays or violations must be held accountable.
In particular, if any violations are found to have criminal implications, the case files must be immediately transferred to the police investigation agency for legal action. The Dak Nong Provincial People’s Committee is also required to publicly post the inspection conclusions and report progress on corrective measures by June 30.
Conclusion
The violations in mineral resource exploitation in Dak Nong have raised concerns about the protection of natural resources and the environment. To ensure transparency and sustainability, rectification measures and accountability actions need to be implemented seriously. The public expects concrete actions to improve the situation and establish a more effective management system.
Source: Dan Tri
