There are currently 13 illegal sand mining spots in Hanoi that cause public discontentment and revenue losses to state budget, requiring stronger efforts from the local authorities to deal with.

Deputy of Hanoi People’s Council Nguyen Minh Duc from Thanh Xuan district.

Deputy of Hanoi People’s Council Nguyen Minh Duc, who is also the Editor-in-Chief of Kinh te&Do thi Newspaper, from Thanh Xuan district raised the issue at a council’s discussion session on December 8.

On this issue, Vice Director of Hanoi Policy Department Nguyen Thanh Tung said the city shares river management with eight neighboring provinces and cities, where illegal sand mining takes place.

“As of November 2020, 14 sand mines are operating with a valid license, along with 207 storage sites,” Mr. Tung noted, adding that 150 of which are not authorized.

“In the coming time, more police units will be sent to districts and wards where illegal sand mining activities are being uncontrolled,” added Mr. Tung.

Vice Director of Hanoi Policy Department Nguyen Thanh Tung

Explaining the rampant emergence of illegal sand mining, Mr. Tung said illegal miners frequently change their working time and locations, mainly on holidays or days off, to evade police patrolling the river.

“Once being detected, illegal sand miners will immediately move to another location. They remove plates from the boats, making it difficult for task force to identify,” he noted.

Mr. Tung said the police would continue to work with the Department of Transport to inspect unregistered boats, as” illegal miners cannot work without transportation vehicles.”

“Local authorities at districts and wards need to check and shutdown illegal ports along the rivers,” Mr. Tung stated.

“We are committed to putting an end to all illegal sand mines in rivers once and for all, but also needs more efforts from local authorities in detecting suspected movement in rivers,” he suggested.