Ratanakiri Residents Fear Livelihood Loss as Sand Dredging License Granted

More than 200 families in Ratanakiri province, who make a living by manually panning for gold along the Sesan River in Hat Pok village, Hat Pok commune, Ou Ya Dav district, are expressing concern that they may lose their source of income after learning that authorities have granted a license to a private company for sand dredging operations in the area. The Koh Rumleing area is where residents, primarily of indigenous Lao and Khmer descent, set up tents to live day and night, panning for gold by hand using traditional tools. Residents claim they have been engaged in this occupation for many generations to earn a daily income to support their families. Im Hit, a representative of the residents, stated that most people have relied on gold panning for a very long time, passed down through generations. However, upon hearing that authorities have issued a license to a private company for sand dredging, the residents are unhappy and have protested, requesting authorities to halt the licensing or relocate the operation. Sok Bun, who pans for gold in the area, said that he and his family pan for gold from the dry season to the rainy season because this occupation provides income for their family. He emphasized that if the sand dredging company operates and blocks the area they are currently using, it will not only affect his family but also many other residents who depend on this livelihood. Regarding these concerns, So Vannthien, the governor of Ou Ya Dav district, told Kampuchea Thmey that authorities are allowing the company and the residents to negotiate first. He affirmed that as authorities, if the public interest of the citizens is affected, they will protect it. Concerning environmental issues, he stated that it is the responsibility of the relevant ministries to assess, and if the company's business causes severe environmental damage, authorities have the right to take legal action, including suspending or revoking the permit. Meanwhile, Pheak Hong, the deputy governor of Ou Ya Dav district, said that the company has a valid sand dredging license but has not yet started operations, and is currently preparing the site. The project is expected to commence next year. He asserted that the location the company has applied for will not affect the area where residents are panning for gold and conducting their business. Kampuchea Thmey attempted to contact Ung Hour, the Director of the Department of Mines and Energy in Ratanakiri province, and Chan Khong, the chief of Hat Pok commune, for further clarification, but received no response. According to sand dredging license application map documents, the project site is located in Hat Pok village, Hat Pok commune, Ou Ya Dav district, Ratanakiri province, and has received permission from the Ou Ya Dav district administration.