Transferring investigation of 4 businesses violating stone mining

A series of violations by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Kien Giang province were concluded by the Provincial Inspectorate such as: Letting dozens of mineral exploitation enterprises owe taxes, not fulfilling financial obligations, exploiting stone beyond the boundary...

Kien Giang Provincial Inspectorate requested the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to coordinate with the People's Committee of Kien Hai District to collect land rent from 2017-2019 of Hon Tre Joint Stock Company related to stone exploitation - Photo: MINH KHANG

On January 7, Mr. Tran Chien Thang - Chief Inspector of Kien Giang province - just signed the Inspection conclusion "on the implementation of the law in state management of mineral resource exploitation in the province for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment", period January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024.

Loose resource management

Accordingly, there are 2 mine sites that were incorrectly demarcated; 1 mine site with an additional area of ​​4.9 hectares adjacent to the 7.99-hectare area that the Provincial People's Committee granted a mineral exploitation license to Construction and Materials Trading Joint Stock Company that did not meet the demarcation criteria and did not auction the mineral exploitation rights.

The provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment has not yet paid the State budget the deposit for participating in the auction for Ca Na mine, Nha Vo mine, the money from selling auction documents, the auction participation fee... which is more than 1.76 billion VND.

The Department has not yet fully reviewed the financial obligations of 2 enterprises but has advised the Provincial People's Committee to grant an extension of mineral exploitation license, which is not in accordance with regulations. There are 3 enterprises that have been granted mineral exploitation licenses by the Provincial People's Committee but have assigned the mineral exploitation to another company. As a result, this company owes tax on natural resources, environmental protection fees, and mineral exploitation rights with a total amount of over 5.7 billion VND...

Notably, 18 enterprises were granted the right to exploit minerals but have not yet fulfilled their financial obligations of more than 12.3 billion VND. There are 4 enterprises exploiting construction stone that have exploited beyond the permitted boundary. There are 2 enterprises exploiting clay for bricks and tiles that have exploited beyond the permitted boundary...

"Recommend that the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee assign the Department of Home Affairs to advise the Provincial People's Committee to organize a review to clarify the responsibility of the individual who is the Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment for the period January 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024," the document stated.

Transfer 4 cases to the Investigation Agency

The Inspectorate of Kien Giang province requested the Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to organize a review to clarify responsibilities and handle according to the law for 3 individuals, namely the Deputy Head of the Department of Water Resources and Minerals, the Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and 1 individual, former Deputy Head of the Department of Land and Minerals Management. Directed the Chief Inspector of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to draw lessons from his own experience.

Regarding the economy , the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of the province is requested to pay the State budget more than 1.76 billion VND. In addition, it is necessary to coordinate with the Provincial Tax Department to collect and pay to the State budget the total amount of more than 22.4 billion VND from enterprises that have not fulfilled their financial obligations regarding mineral exploitation.

Propose that the Department of Natural Resources and Environment direct the Department's Inspectorate to impose administrative sanctions on two enterprises that violated the regulations on mineral exploitation beyond the permitted mining boundary according to height; and mineral exploitation not in accordance with the approved mine design.

"For the four enterprises violating mineral exploitation activities, in addition to administrative violations, there are also signs of violating regulations on research, exploration, and exploitation of resources. Therefore, they will be transferred to the Investigation Police Agency for handling according to regulations," the conclusion stated.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chuyen-co-quan-dieu-tra-4-doanh-nghiep-vi-pham-khai-thac-da-20250106214743562.htm