The entrance to an illegal gold mine in Quảng Nam Province. Illustration photo VNA |
QUẢNG NAM – The police of the central province of Quảng Nam coordinated with the local police force of Nam Giang District to raid illegal mineral and gold mining operations yesterday morning.
Over 100 illegal gold miners were arrested at the gold mining operation near Sông Tranh Nature Reserve. Arrested miners included both local residents and workers from the neighbouring provinces of Nghệ An, Hòa Bình, and Thái Nguyên.
Nam Giang District police will receive and manage these miners, then send them back home.
The police destroyed 22 tents set up to shelter gold miners and 43 pieces of equipment, including diesel engines and electric generator, and 1,000 water pipes. All of these items were used for illegal gold mining.
Police and local authorities are also preparing to fine thirteen mine owners who hired labourers for illegal mineral mining.
The raid was part of an inspection campaign of all illegal mineral mining operations. The initiative was launched by the Quảng Nam Province People’s Committee after the collapse of gold mines killed four miners in April. – VNS