The People’s Committee in the central highland province of Kon Tum has decided to issue a heavy fine of VND88 million (US$4,000) on the Kim Son Thuy Company, for violating environment protection regulations by indiscriminately digging for gold at the Dak Pet Spring site.
The province has revoked the company licence until it recovers all damage costs caused to the Dak Pet Spring site and surrounding areas.
The company will have to remove all drilling and digging equipment within ten days, once the province issues a notice.
The company must immediately restore the damage to Dak Pet Spring, repair the landslide caused during operations along the road linking Dak Glei town to Dak Nhoong Commune as well as in some other surrounding areas.
The Kim Son Thuy Company had taken advantage of lax loopholes and a lethargic local administration to dig for gold in the Dak Pet Spring site, causing landslides along roads and damaging bridges in nearby areas.
