Authorities in Phine district, Savannakhet, have taken action against illegal gold mining activities, destroying equipment on 11 May that had been linked to unauthorized mining operations near Phalong village.
The crackdown followed an inspection initiated on 25 April after residents reported illegal mining activities in the area. A team of five military personnel was deployed to investigate multiple excavation sites in nearby forests.
During the operation, officials uncovered evidence of extensive illegal mining, including around 1 hectare of dug-up land and new areas measuring roughly 40 by 40 meters and 50 by 50 meters, believed to be prepared for further mining activities.
Although the suspects had likely fled the area, possibly after a tip-off, authorities discovered two large gold separation machines hidden about 200 meters from the mining sites. Due to the size and difficulty of transporting the equipment, authorities opted to destroy the machines on-site to prevent their future use.
Nationwide Crackdown
The operation in Phine district is part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal mining activities following a directive issued by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on 7 March 2025. The order emphasizes enhanced monitoring and inspections of gold, stone, and sand extraction across Laos, driven by growing environmental and safety concerns.
Since then, several provinces have intensified enforcement efforts. Earlier this year, Attapeu province introduced stricter penalties for illegal extraction, with violators facing heavy fines and potential prison sentences. In June 2025, Houaphanh province permanently banned new gold mining permits and ordered the removal of equipment from illegal mining sites.
Additionally, Xieng Khouang province reported four deaths in 2025 after a landslide buried miners at an unregulated site, underscoring the severe safety risks associated with unauthorized mining.
As illegal mining continues to pose significant challenges, authorities across Laos are ramping up inspections and enforcement measures to combat the issue.


