The illegal stone mining site is discovered in Bờ Ngoong Commune, Gia Lai Province. phapluat.com.vn

GIA LAI  — Local authorities have discovered two illegal stone-mining sites in Bờ Ngoong Commune, Chư Sê District, the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) province of Gia Lai, a leader of the communal People's Committee said on Wednesday morning.

Total 24.2cu.m of large stones and a considerable amount of cut stone were seized at the scene in Village 16.

The police also identified two locals, named Phạm Ngọc Hợi, 38, and Nguyễn Văn Mạnh, 26, as owners of these stones.

At the police station, the two men said that when farming in the area, they accidentally found the above stones and collected them for sale. They admitted not having a licence.

The police asked the two men to stop their mining activities and keep the site untouched for further investigation.

The case was transferred to a higher-level agency, Chư Sê District Department of Natural Resources and Environment to handle in accordance with the law.

According to Decree No 142/2013/NĐ-CP on punishing violations in the field of water exploitation and mineral resources-mining, any individual violating acts of mineral exploitation without having a mineral mining licence as prescribed will be fined up to VNĐ1 billion. The fine will be up to VNĐ2 billion (US$85,734) for violated organisation. — VNS