Authorities in Oudomxay Province have investigated eight cases of illegal mining, prosecuted 10 people, and collected more than LAK 2.688 billion (USD 119,000) in fines and other payments to the state, according to a provincial report.
The cases involved illegal mineral extraction, including alluvial gold mining. Some operations used basic equipment, while others relied on heavy machinery.
Saksombat Keositthivongsa, head of the provincial task force, presented the findings on Oudomxay Radio and TV Station.
The latest case came to light on 28 October, when a provincial task force inspected a former mining site operated by Lao-Xinlong Mining Company in Pak Beng District.
Lao-Xinlong had completed its open-pit mining operations under an agreement with the government but had yet to restore 33.54 hectares of land, including farmland belonging to 114 families in Huay Sa area, Ban Kham, the report said.
During the inspection, authorities found evidence that people had used the unfinished restoration work as cover for illegal gold mining at night.
An initial investigation identified Suriyong Company, which Lao-Xinlong had hired to restore the site. Authorities ordered Suriyong to suspend work in June 2026 while they reassessed the area.
Despite the order, the task force said, Suriyong had brought machinery onto the site and continued mining gold without permission.
Authorities detained four people and seized three excavators, a pickup truck, a 10-wheel dump truck, a 12-wheel trailer truck, and other equipment.
The four detainees reportedly told investigators that they had carried out the operation on Suriyong’s instructions. The task force said it was working with relevant agencies to investigate the case and take legal action against those responsible.
Public Questions How Illegal Mining Went Unnoticed
The announcement prompted questions on social media about how heavy machinery could be brought in and used for illegal mining without local authorities noticing.
Residents questioned how an operation involving excavators and dump trucks could go undetected, and whether people living nearby could really have been unaware of it.
“How could the village, district, and provincial authorities know nothing about it?” one commenter wrote, pointing out that bringing in heavy machinery and the fuel needed to operate it would be difficult to do unnoticed.
Other commenters reported suspected illegal mining in several parts of the country, including Don Thoung Village in Sanakham District, areas along the border between Pak Beng and Pha Oudom districts among others.
These reports have not been independently verified.
“Shouldn’t both the company owners and the authorities responsible for licensing and oversight be investigated?” another commenter wrote.
Several people also called for a dedicated hotline or online reporting channel, such as Messenger or WhatsApp, where residents could report suspected illegal mining.
Task Force Calls for Public Help
The Oudomxay provincial task force said it would step up inspections, work more closely with relevant agencies, and focus on areas at higher risk of illegal mining.
It also urged residents across the province to report suspected illegal activities and help monitor mining operations in their communities.
The task force called on the public to verify information before sharing it and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports that could cause confusion or public concern.
