Illegal Sand Mining in Vietnam: A Growing Concern
The Trial Begins
More than 40 people, including a former senior provincial official, went on trial in Vietnam on Monday over illegal sand mining in the Mekong Delta. The trial is being held in Ho Chi Minh City court, with the largest-ever illegal sand mining case in the country’s history. According to Lao Dong newspaper, the former chairman of the people’s committee in An Giang province, Nguyen Thanh Binh, is accused of abuse of power for allowing a company to mine sand without proper permits.
The Accused
Nguyen Thanh Binh, a former senior provincial official, is accused of taking a $300,000 bribe to allow the mining in the area. He and other officials are accused of ordering subordinates to issue a sand mining licence to the Trung Hau 68 company, even though it did not qualify. The former CEO of the firm, Le Quang Binh, is accused of bribery, violation of regulations on exploration and exploitation of natural resources, and money laundering.
The Company’s Activities
The company sold over 3.7 million cubic meters of sand for around $11.5 million between December 2021 and July 2023, according to Cong Ly. This illegal activity highlights the severity of the situation, as experts warn that sand mining to feed Vietnam’s construction boom is depleting resources so fast that the Mekong Delta, the country’s "rice bowl," could run out in just over a decade.
The Consequences
With less sand, river flows become lighter and faster, and hit the banks at greater speed, accelerating erosion. Around 20,000 households need to be resettled because of the risks, according to Vietnam’s natural disaster prevention and control department. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) puts the figure much higher, saying half a million people could lose their homes.
The Verdict
A verdict in the Ho Chi Minh City trial is expected on April 4. Nguyen Thanh Binh has already paid back $300,000 to the court, according to Cong Ly newspaper.
FAQs
- What is the significance of the trial?
The trial is the largest-ever illegal sand mining case in Vietnam’s history, and it highlights the severity of the environmental impact of overexploitation. - What are the charges against the accused?
The accused are facing charges of abuse of power, bribery, violation of regulations on exploration and exploitation of natural resources, and money laundering. - What is the potential impact of sand mining on the environment?
The depleting of sand resources can cause river flows to become lighter and faster, leading to erosion and the displacement of thousands of people. - What is the expected verdict date?
The verdict is expected on April 4, 2024.