Lâm Đồng province is facing illegal sand mining problems.  – VNA Photo

LÂM ĐỒNG – Lâm Đồng Province is making a strong effort to prevent illegal sand mining at its Đồng Nai River, stopping many such violations since the start of the year.

From the start of 2022, authorities in Lâm Đồng have seized seven illegal sand mining vessels on the Đồng Nai River, dealt with eight cases of violations in construction in sand mining, and issued a total of VNĐ279 million (US$12,276) of fines.

According to Lâm Đồng’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, there are many locations on the banks of Đồng Nai River in Cát Tiên District with landslides, stretching more than 3km.

The cause of the landslides are floods and illegal sand mining.

The 48 kilometre section of the Đồng Nai River in Phước Cát and Phước Cát 2 Commune (Cát Tiên) acts as a border between three provinces (Lâm Đồng, Đồng Nai, Bình Phước). There is currently no valid mining licence for this section of the river.

However, illegal sand mining in this area has been persistent.

The Department has advised the Lâm Đồng People's Committee to issue solutions to handle illegal sand mining such as removing unlicensed sand mining vessels from the Đồng Nai River and instructing the provincial police to work with authorities to increase patrolling for illegal sand mining in the area.

Illegal sand mining has been occurring in many provinces and cities around Việt Nam. Recently in HCM City, local police discovered a 12-man illegal sand mining operation on June 16 in Cần Giờ District’s Đồng Tranh River. – VNS