An audit report released on 23/9 by Da Nang City Inspectorate revealed that three mining companies misrepresented their extraction output for 2023-2024.

Truong Ban Company (Truong Ban quarry) reported an output of over 333,000 cubic meters in 2024, but the actual extraction was nearly 334,000 cubic meters, a discrepancy of almost 1,000 cubic meters.

Last year, Quang Hung Company (Hoc Gia Hanh quarry) reported extracting nearly 37,000 cubic meters, while the actual output exceeded 41,500 cubic meters. This represents an underreporting of 4,600 cubic meters. A similar violation occurred at Mien Nam Da Nang Company (Ho Bac 3 quarry), with an underreported amount of approximately 5,700 cubic meters.

According to the Da Nang Inspectorate, the companies misreported their output to reduce natural resource taxes and environmental protection fees, violating Circular 17/2020 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development).

The three companies are required to pay over 270 million VND in additional fees, with Quang Hung Company owing nearly 161 million VND.

Suoi Mo II quarry, one of the four quarries inspected and found to have not calculated or paid additional fees for increased extraction output. Photo: Ngoc Truong

Suoi Mo II quarry, one of the four quarries inspected and found to have not calculated or paid additional fees for increased extraction output. Photo: Ngoc Truong

In 2024, the Da Nang People's Committee allowed some companies to increase their extraction capacity by less than 15% to support key projects. However, the increased output at Truong Ban, Suoi Mo II, Hoc Gia Hanh, and Ho Bac 3 quarries has not been accounted for, and the investors have not paid additional licensing fees as required by the 2010 Law on Minerals.

The audit also found that Truong Ban quarry removed 160,400 cubic meters of topsoil for backfilling projects, exceeding 15% of its extraction capacity without amending its license. This violates Government Decree 158/2016. The city inspectorate attributed this responsibility to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and related individuals.

The Da Nang City Inspectorate holds the mining companies primarily responsible for these violations, while also citing the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and related individuals for oversight and advisory shortcomings. The involved parties are required to learn from these mistakes, submit reports, and provide documentation of budget payments as regulated.

Nguyen Dong