Recognizing the dangers associated with mining activities during the rainy season, local authorities and mining companies in Điện Biên province have been actively implementing disaster prevention measures to ensure maximum safety during the rainy season.

Currently, there are nearly 20 active stone mining quarries in the province. With the nature of the industry posing many occupational hazards, especially during abnormal weather conditions, companies place the highest priority on safety measures to prevent accidents. The Minh Thắng 2 stone quarry in Quài Nưa commune, Tuần Giáo district, managed by the TMTN Đại Dương enterprise, is one of the units actively implementing safety measures during the rainy season.

Lê Thành Dương, the director of the company, shared: “During the rainy season, we adjust the working hours of our employees based on the weather conditions. If it rains, we halt mining operations immediately, and only resume work when the weather is dry. Particularly, areas at higher elevations, which are at risk of landslides, will temporarily cease operations, and we will shift to working in lower areas to ensure the safety of our workers. In June, due to heavy rains, the team only worked for 2 days, the rest of the time was for rest to ensure safety.”

Not only is stone mining affected, but sand extraction, particularly from riverbeds and streams, also faces many dangers during the rainy season. Rising waters and sudden whirlpools can easily sweep away machinery, equipment, or even endanger workers’ lives if proper precautions are not taken. Despite being a new participant in sand mining in the province, the Duyên Hùng Co., Ltd. strictly adheres to disaster response protocols. To ensure the safety of its workers and assets, the company has been flexible in assigning tasks based on each position and has proactively developed disaster response solutions.

Lưu Công Ruyên, the director of the Duyên Hùng Co., Ltd., stated: “We proactively assess and forecast potential risks during the rainy season to build a response plan. Due to the nature of sand mining, risks such as landslides and flooding are always present. Therefore, we assign specific tasks to each member of the technical and safety teams, conducting regular inspections in high-risk areas. Particularly during the rainy months, the company reduces mining activities and focuses on land reclamation as per regulations.”

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, from 2009 to 2024, Điện Biên approved reserves for 48 mining sites. In 2024, 4 exploration licenses and 7 mining licenses were issued. With 34 active mining licenses, ensuring workplace safety under complex weather conditions remains a significant challenge but is also a mandatory requirement. Given the increasingly erratic weather with a high risk of flash floods, landslides, and prolonged rainfall, authorities have issued recommendations to strengthen safety measures in mineral extraction and processing.

Experts predict that more extreme weather phenomena will occur in the near future, directly impacting production activities, particularly in areas with complex terrain and high disaster risk. To respond effectively, mining enterprises are required to proactively inspect and assess all infrastructure systems, identify vulnerable spots, and reinforce areas at risk of landslides. Additionally, companies must develop disaster response plans, including the provision of equipment, materials, and personnel prepared to handle emergency situations such as subsidence or severe landslides. Strict adherence to approved technical designs is also mandatory to ensure safety throughout the mining process. If any signs of safety violations are detected, mining operations must immediately cease and corrective actions must be taken as per regulations.

Local authorities also play a crucial role in collaborating with businesses to ensure labor safety. Technical and support equipment teams must be mobilized promptly for rescue operations when needed. Keeping a close watch on weather developments, updating response scenarios, and proactively proposing solutions to the Provincial People’s Committee are regular tasks to protect lives, assets, and ensure uninterrupted production activities.

While the weather becomes more extreme and unpredictable, close coordination between all parties will be key to ensuring safety. With a proactive and serious approach to disaster prevention, the mining sector is striving to minimize damage, maintain stable production, and improve the livelihoods of people in mining areas.