Rattanakiri provincial authorities were urged by a National Assembly commission yesterday to take swift action against illegal gem mining, which they blamed on infrastructure damage and tax revenue loss. Speaking after a meeting with provincial authorities at the provincial hall, opposition member Heng Danaro said the province’s tourism sites were being made increasingly difficult to visit due to road and bridge damage caused by illegal mining operations.
 

“Please take action to prevent illegal mining. The mining benefits only the people doing it, with any profits going to them only, but when they cause damage it affects common interests in the whole province,” he said. He noted that he had seen a number of illegal gem mining operations taking place in rubber plantations and that the associated infrastructure damage would affect tourism.  
 

“[Instead] I hope that tourism will be doubled, with local organizations at tourist sites to ensure the economic potential.” Deputy provincial governor Nhem Sam Oeun acknowledged the bad state of the roads, but stressed that authorities were renovating what they could, given budgetary issues.

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