Illegal sand mining continues to damage environment Many localities in Vietnam continue to be blighted by illegal sand mining, which is damaging the environment and affecting local residents, with authorities seemily powerless to stop them. Illegal sand mining continues to damage environment in Vietnam Illegal mines have been ravaging Da Den Lake at Chau Pha Commune, Thanh Thanh District since 2001. Heavy machinery is now being used, with mining operations running throughout the night. Tran Dinh On, chairman of Chau Pha Commune, said that local authorities set up an inspection taskforce which fined violators and confiscated their equipment, but the problem continues. Ngoc Thuy Commune on the Red River in Hanoi’s Long Bien District is a hot spot of illegal operations. Local residents have reported illegal sand mining to their authorities, but little has changed. Dong Nai and Binh Duong provincial authorities have also been unable to control sand over-exploitation on the Dong Nai River. Illegal operations can make VND10m a night. Along the Ma River in the northern mountainous province of Son La's Song Ma District, sand is transported away by open trucks, leaving sand clouds that affect local residents. The problem has worsened in recent years despite efforts by local authorities. Many other rivers across the country, including Thu Bon River in Quang Nam Province, Lo River in Phu Tho Province and Thi Vai  are in the same situation. Lao Dong