Mr Phakhanxay Sikhanxay (left) and Mr Saman Aneka celebrate after signing the MoU, which was witnessed by other officials.

LXML, Ministry of Culture and Tourism partner to preserve Lao cultural heritage

Lane Xang Minerals Limited Company (LXML), a leading mining company in Laos, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Heritage under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on August 25 to strengthen cooperation in archaeological research and the preservation of Lao cultural heritage.
The MoU was signed at a ceremony hosted at the Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane, which also featured the official handover of artifacts discovered at the company’s Sepon Mine during 2022-2025.

The discovered artifacts.

The ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr Vansy Kuamua, who was accompanied by the Director General of the Heritage Department, Mr Phakhanxay Sikhanxay, and their respective committees.
Distinguished guests included representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Savannakhet province, the Vilabouly District Administration and its Culture and Tourism Office. The LXML delegation was led by the Managing Director, Mr Saman Aneka, and included his team members.
As part of the MoU, LXML officially handed over 4,374 artifacts uncovered within the company’s mining concession area. The artifacts, representing eight categories – stone, copper, iron, pottery, crucibles, wood, bone and teeth, and beads – mark the fourth official handover of such items, bringing the total number of items preserved between 1995 and 2025 to 12,536 artifacts.
These valuable cultural items will be distributed to the National Museum, the Savannakhet Provincial Museum and the Vilabouly District Cultural Hall for public display and academic research in line with the Lao government’s policy.
In his remarks, Mr Vansy described the artifacts as “the most precious treasure of the country” and a profound reflection of Lao culture.
Citing former President Kaysone Phomvihane’s well-known words, “To lose culture is to lose the nation”, he emphasised that these treasures belong not only to the nation but also to the people of Vilabouly district.
He noted that digital systems will be introduced to ensure the modern and sustainable preservation of the artifacts.
Mr Phakhanxay reaffirmed that the artifacts will be carefully preserved, studied and showcased for the benefit of future generations, and noted their importance in promoting historical knowledge, boosting tourism, and contributing to sustainable socio-economic development.
Speaking on behalf of LXML, Mr Saman expressed deep appreciation for the partnership with the Heritage Department, and said: “LXML places great importance on preserving the cultural heritage of the Lao PDR.
“This MoU demonstrates our continuing commitment to work hand in hand with the government to safeguard historical treasures. It is an honour for LXML to contribute to this meaningful endeavour, and we hope this cooperation will serve as an example for society at large.”
Vilabouly, he said, is acknowledged internationally as one of the first mining and metallurgy sites in Southeast Asia. Ancient mining practices developed there about 1,300 years ago, when people excavated rich copper ore and refined it in the Peun Baolor and Thong Na Gneuak (Dragon Field) locations.
Since 2008, LXML has invested more than US$1.8 million to conserve 3,000 years of Lao history through a unique archaeological programme in cooperation with the Department of Heritage, then part of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourist, the National University of Laos and James Cook University in Australia.
LXML’s support for cultural heritage preservation began in 2004. Between 2004 and 2008, the company founded Heritage Department teams to conduct salvage operations at Sepon, including the construction of a temporary storage facility for artifact preservation and analysis.
From 2008 to 2019, LXML supported a three-party MoU with the Heritage Department and James Cook University, resulting in four joint research agreements. Since 2019, LXML has advanced its cooperation through bilateral MoUs with the Heritage Department, and this signing marked the second MoU under the two-party framework.
Through its ongoing collaboration with the Heritage Department, LXML reaffirms its commitment to support the Lao government’s efforts in cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and sustainable development. This partnership reflects the company’s dedication to protecting Lao heritage while contributing to the country’s long-term prosperity.

By Advertorial Desk
(Latest Update September 3, 2025)