Authorities in Dak Lak Province have ordered government agencies to step up inspections and enforcement against illegal mineral extraction, with a particular focus on unauthorised gold mining in Song Hinh Commune.
In a directive issued on July 8, the provincial People's Committee instructed relevant authorities to implement urgent measures to protect untapped mineral resources and swiftly address violations, following recommendations from the Department of Agriculture and Environment.
Vice-chair Nguyen Thien Van also instructed Song Hinh Commune to introduce long-term measures to strengthen the protection of mineral resources and prevent illegal gold mining from recurring in Buon Ly and elsewhere within its jurisdiction.
The commune has been ordered to submit a progress report to the provincial People's Committee, through the Department of Agriculture and Environment, by July 15.
The directive follows a series of incidents uncovered earlier this year.
In April, authorities in Song Hinh Commune discovered that a group of people from another locality had rented farmland in Buon Ly under the pretext of growing sugar cane but had instead dug deep pits allegedly to search for gold.
During an inspection, officials found a pit nearly 10 metres deep along with machinery and equipment believed to have been used for gold mining. The group had already left the area before authorities arrived.
The owner of the land was later fined VND 3.5 million (USD 134) for illegally altering the topsoil on agricultural land.
On June 6, local authorities carried out another unannounced inspection at a separate site suspected of illegal gold mining on land owned by a Song Hinh Commune official.
Investigators found multiple pieces of equipment believed to be associated with gold extraction. Dak Lak Province Police subsequently launched an investigation and are handling the case in accordance with the law.
