Requirements for river bed sand and gravel mining in Vietnam

Specifically, the river bed sand and gravel mining shall comply with the requirements for river bed, bank and terrace protection specified in Article 14 of Decree No. 23/2020/NĐ-CP of Vietnam’s Government and the following requirements:

Firstly, in the case of river bed sand and gravel mining:

- The mining areas that must be away from the edge of the bank at a minimum distance suitable for the natural width of the river bed, topographic and geological features and river bank stability shall be decided by the competent authority specified in Clause 2 Article 21 hereof;

- The slope of the bed of the mined river route which must be equivalent to the natural slope of the bed of the mined river section and must not suddenly change the slope of the whole river route and the mining depth which must be suitable for the topographic and geological features of the river section and must not form any swirling hole or increase the risk of river bank instability shall be decided by the competent authority specified in Clause 2 Article 21 hereof;

- If the river section running through a midland or mountainous region has undergone seasonal sedimentation, according to the sedimentation changes, the competent authority specified in Clause 2 Article 21 hereof shall decide to lay down specific requirements for the sand and gravel mining to ensure that the risk of river bank and terrace erosion is prevented and minimized.

Secondly, in the case of river terrace sand and gravel mining:

- The height of the bed of the mining area must not exceed the height corresponding to the average water level during dry season in the mining area, except for the case in which the mining is carried out together with the clearing of flow and enhancement of the flood drainage ability of the river section;

- In the case of a semi-flooded islet, islet formed by season or newly formed islet, according to actual condition and requirements for prevention and control of river bank and terrace soil erosion, the competent authority specified in Clause 2 Article 21 hereof shall decide specific range and depth of the mining area.

Moreover, if any sign of bank erosion appears in the mining area during the mining process, it is required to suspend the mining and immediately notify the local government and Department of Natural Resources and Environment where the mining is carried out in order to carry out inspection and identify the causes and impacts on the river bed, bank and terrace and a report shall be submitted to the provincial People’s Committee for consideration and decision.

If it is ineligible to continue the mining, the provincial People’s Committee shall consider adding the mining area to the list of areas where river bed sand and gravel mining operations are prohibited or temporarily prohibited as prescribed in Clause 5 Article 13 hereof.

View more details at Decree No. 23/2020/NĐ-CP of Vietnam’s Government, effective from April 10, 2020.

Thu Ba

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE