VIENTIANE: A government task force has seized 23 excavators and other equipment during a crackdown on suspected illegal gold mining in Sangthong district, Vientiane, as part of broader government efforts to curb illegal mining activities.
During inspections of mining operations in Sor and Vangma villages in Sangthong district in September and October, the task force seized 23 excavators, seven gold-sifting screens, three generators, a pick-up truck, three air-conditioned shipping containers and 127 sheets of gold-recovery carpet in Sor village, according to the Pasaxon newspaper.
In Vangma village, the team found evidence of illegal mining at two sites near the Vangma waterfall, along with complete sets of mining machinery and equipment.
The task force is investigating the cases and questioning those involved to identify the offenders and their accomplices. Strict action will be taken in accordance with the law.
The crackdown comes as the government seeks to wipe out illegal mineral extraction while changing the way Laos manages and earns revenue from its natural resources.
Reporting at the ongoing 10th National Assembly sitting, Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith said the government had stepped up efforts to combat illegal mining and the unlawful processing, storage, sale, import and export of minerals and mineral products.
“Steering committees have been appointed to monitor and inspect this work strictly and decisively,” he said.
As stated in the Prime Minister’s report, revenue from mining and mineral processing reached 38,240.19 billion kip (US$1.70 billion) over a nine-month period. This marks a 5.71 per cent rise compared to the same timeframe last year, fulfilling 89.7 per cent of the target set for 2026.
Full-year output is projected to reach a value of 48,773.08 billion kip, exceeding the National Assembly’s target of 42,630.08 billion kip.
The government is also formulating a new minerals policy to ensure more resources are processed domestically before export.
“Future approvals of new projects will be limited to investors who build finished-product processing plants, and exports of raw ore and concentrates will be halted going forward,” Mr Saleumxay said.
The policy aims to retain more economic value in Laos by encouraging investment in processing facilities, creating jobs, and reducing the export of unprocessed resources.
Also speaking at the National Assembly, Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaithong Kommasith said the government plans to end raw mineral exports by 2030 for selected minerals, while requiring certain mining operations to integrate extraction with domestic smelting or processing facilities.
The shift is already attracting investment. The Asia Potash Industrial Park in Khammuan province now has 14 factories with a combined investment of more than US$730 million. Nine factories are operating and have created about 2,000 jobs. The estate exported more than US$120 million worth of products from January to August this year.
However, expanding domestic processing will require substantial investment in transport, electricity and industrial infrastructure. The government must also strengthen law enforcement to ensure mining operations comply with regulations and deliver greater benefits to the country.
The Sangthong crackdown highlights the enforcement challenge facing Laos as it seeks to protect its mineral resources and move towards a system that places greater emphasis on processing and value creation at home. - Vientiane Times/ANN
