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Vientiane authorities have uncovered widespread illegal mining activities involving five companies operating on more than 134 hectares of land, according to Vice Vientiane Mayor Sililath Thongpheng. He made the disclosure during a special meeting on natural resource management.
(KPL)Vientiane authorities have uncovered widespread illegal mining activities involving five companies operating on more than 134 hectares of land, according to Vice Vientiane Mayor Sililath Thongpheng. He made the disclosure during a special meeting on natural resource management.
The municipal administration has instructed relevant departments and local authorities to conduct comprehensive inspections, collect evidence of unauthorized activities, enforce the immediate suspension of all illegal operations, and take legal action against violators.
Authorities found that three licensed companies had exceeded their permitted mining areas by 51.82 hectares, operating on 61.82 hectares despite approval for only 10 hectares. In addition, five unlicensed companies were discovered occupying 83.38 hectares. The total unauthorized mining area amounts to 135.2 hectares beyond legal limits.
A special municipal task force (No. 160/VM) is working in coordination with national agencies to audit all trial gold mining operations, establish standardized enforcement protocols, and resolve compliance issues involving eight mining companies.
Next steps include verifying precise mining boundaries, assessing environmental damage, determining appropriate penalties, establishing compensation requirements, and implementing stricter monitoring systems.
Deputy Mayor Sililath emphasized that coordinated action at all levels of government is essential to prevent further unauthorized exploitation of the nation’s natural resources.
KPL
