The Nam Song River in Vang Vieng District turned muddy on 15 October, raising concerns among residents who noticed the unusual change despite no reported rainfall.
The river is normally clear, and the absence of rain has left residents questioning what caused the discoloration. However, the cause has not been confirmed.
As of 20 October, authorities had not publicly explained the change or responded to residents’ concerns.
The river has turned muddy before. In June, authorities found that companies were mining and processing iron ore without official authorisation upstream of the Nam Song, in Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province, and Longsaeng District, Xaysomboun Province.
Authorities linked the activities of Daochalearn Mineral Processing Sole Co., Ltd. to river pollution and ordered the company to immediately suspend its iron ore mining and processing operations in both provinces.
That case showed how activities upstream can affect water quality downstream. However, authorities have not said whether the latest discoloration is connected to the previous pollution case.
Crackdown on Illegal Mining Widens
The latest concerns come as authorities step up action against illegal mining elsewhere in Laos.
On 1 October, President Thongloun Sisoulith called for stronger action against illegal mining, unlawfully imported vehicles, drugs, and online scams as the 12th Party Central Committee concluded an extraordinary plenary session. He instructed party committees to tackle unauthorised mineral extraction, illegal logging, and online scams.
State media reported that authorities seized 23 excavators and other equipment during two raids on suspected illegal gold-mining sites in Sangthong District, Vientiane, between 23 and 26 September and between 9 and 11 October. The raids covered 10 sites in two villages, including two near Tad Vangma Waterfall.
Authorities are investigating who operated and financed the sites. No charges have been announced.
In Xaysomboun, authorities identified four companies in September that allegedly mined alluvial gold under permits for unrelated stone and sand extraction. Investigations into gold-mining activities have also been opened in Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouang, and Savannakhet.
Authorities have not established any link between these cases and the latest discoloration of the Nam Song.
