Provincial inspectors and security personnel inspect machinery seized during an operation targeting alleged illegal gold mining activities in Nammo village, Anouvong district, Xaysomboun province.

Illegal gold mining uncovered in Xaysomboun

A special task force has uncovered an illegal gold mining operation along the Nammo river in Anouvong district of Xaysomboun province, and detained seven people and seized heavy machinery used in the activity.
According to the local media, the operation was carried out  on June 8, when a provincial task force, supported by environmental police, inspected an area along Nammo river in Nammo village following reports of illegal extraction of natural resources.
Investigators found that a company operating a stone and sand crushing facility had allegedly engaged in alluvial gold mining without authorisation.
While the business held permits to extract construction materials from the river and possessed other relevnt documents, inspectors found no licence allowing it to mine gold.\
During the operation, officers seized a large amount of equipment believed to have been used in the mining activities. These items included two excavators, two dump trucks, a wheel loader, a jeep, a large sieve, two electric generators, fuel tanks, ore trays and seven mobile phones.
Seven people were taken into custody, including a Chinese national serving as the company’s president and six Lao workers.
All the seized vehicles, machinery and other equipment were transferred to the Xaysomboun Provincial Police Command Headquarters.
The detained individuals remain in temporary custody while legal proceedings continue against them. Further action will be taken in line with the law as the investigation moves forward.
The inspection was led by the Deputy Head of the Provincial Investment Promotion and Management Committee Office, Mr Somphay Thongpaseuth, and the Deputy Head of the Provincial Department of Industry and Commerce, Mr Phangern Duangphachan.
The discovery highlighted ongoing concerns over the illegal exploitation of mineral resources and the need to strengthen oversight of activities taking place along rivers and other environmentally sensitive areas.
Of particular concern was the impact on the Nammo river. Inspectors found that wastewater from the ore separation process was discharged directly into the river without passing through a settling pond.
The latest case follows another crackdown on illegal gold mining in Anouvong district just dys earlier. On May 31, a provincial task force led by the Head of the Provincial Investment Promotion and Management Committee Office, Mr Xaiyadeth Vongsalavan, carried out a patrol along waterways in Namyone village after receiving reports of unauthorised alluvial gold mining activities.
During that operation, officers detained three people and seized two excavators, a large ore-processing sieve, a heavy-duty water pump, five fuel drums and other equipment used for gold extraction.
The action formed part of Xaysomboun province’s efforts to enforce the Prime Minister’s directive on protecting natural resources, preventing environmental damage, and stopping the illegal exploitation of mineral resources.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update June 11, 2026)