国家自然资源督察南京局于7月28日公开约谈安徽省桐城市政府主要负责人，指出该市政府存在以农田质量改造提升为名义规避监管、主导违法采砂的问题[1][2]。督察发现，自2022年12月以来，桐城市政府同意孔城镇政府编制的《农田质量改造提升方案》，实际从事采砂为主的违法开采行为[2]，施工作业未实施土壤改良，仅2022年12月至2023年底就外运销售砂石近40万吨[1][2]，违反了《矿产资源法》相关规定[2]。
自然资源督察部门要求桐城市坚决遏制违法采砂行为，严肃追责，并完善长效监管机制[2]。
The National Land and Resources Supervision Bureau of Nanjing publicly held talks with senior officials of Tongcheng Municipal Government in Anhui Province on July 28, addressing systematic illegal sand and gravel extraction conducted under the guise of farmland quality improvement initiatives.[1][2] The investigation revealed that since December 2022, the municipal government approved a farmland quality enhancement plan designed to circumvent regulatory oversight, while actually engaging primarily in sand mining operations without implementing soil improvement measures.[1][2]
Between December 2022 and the end of 2023, approximately 400,000 tons of sand and gravel were extracted and sold, in violation of the Mineral Resources Law of the People's Republic of China.[1][2] The scheme involved Kongcheng Town Government's submission of the farmland improvement proposal, which was subsequently endorsed by Tongcheng Municipal Government, enabling the illicit extraction to proceed under regulatory radar.[2] The supervisory authorities have demanded that Tongcheng Municipal Government immediately cease all illegal sand mining activities, hold relevant officials accountable, and establish comprehensive long-term regulatory mechanisms to prevent future violations.[2]