December 23, 2023 – Lane Xang Minerals Limited (LXML) a subsidiary company of Chifeng Gold leading mining company in Laos has announced a generous contribution of 150,000,000 Kip (US$ 7,282.76) supported to Vilabouly District 30th anniversary celebration. The event took place at the Latsavong public stadium in the center of the town. Apart from the mentioned LXML has secured electric power from the company’s 200KVA/180KW genset till the end of the 2 days event. There were more than 200 Sepon employees and contractors joining the more than a thousand paraded staff saluted to greet the celebration. 

Before this 30th anniversary celebration of Vilabouly District, LXML has contributed 3,134,714,000 kips (US$ 142,487) for the upgrading of the B1 road and turning it into be “Kayson Phomvihane“street in honour of the first founder of the Lao People Revolutionary Party. LXML assisted in repairing Pha Dang Primary School in Keng Kerk with a total value of 699,361,000. kips (US$ 33,955.17) contributed the provisional materials to set up the familial toilets in more than 10 villages within the community host to Sepon Mine such as the Ban Patong, Nam Khib, Vang Ngang, Kengkerk, Nakasin, Muangluang, and other nearby villages.

The 30 years of Vilabouly District event celebration was chaired by H. E. Mr. Bounchome Oubonpaseuth – Governor of Savannakhet province, and co-chaired by Mr. Valiya Sichanthongthip – Governor of Vilabouly District, the event was attended by senior govt officials, former Governors of Vilabouly District, Governor of Sepon District, Governor of Boualapha Districts, and the Senior Govt. Officers related.

The celebration event coincides with the 20th anniversary of the successful LXML Sepon gold-copper mining operations, demonstrating the commitment of LXML Sepon to support infrastructure and the well-being of the communities in the region. This marks a positive step forward in the contribution to socio-economic development in Savannakhet Province.

In his greeting speech to the event, Mr. Valiya Sichanthongthip – Governor of Vilabouly District expressed his high recognition, appreciation, and great attitude to LXML due to its major contributor to the social and economic development of Vilabouly with the best reputation for several years of Sepon operation. In his speech, the Governor of the District highly valued the great contributions from LXML in providing great opportunities for employment for local people, promotion to local Businesses and Contractors, and various infrastructure projects including the building and upgrading of several roads, schools, electric power network for the host communities, village’s medical clinics, district’s potable water system, micro irrigation system, clear land for permanent rice field for particular poor families able to improve livelihood level of local villagers at well-accepted level empowering villagers to pursue their development priorities and providing numerous benefits to those residing in the vicinity of the Sepon mine.

LXML maintains a longstanding partnership with the Vilabouly District, demonstrating a commitment to the local host community including the application of acceptable international standards in environmental management, waste management, rehabilitation, and recycling with good stewardship

Through collaborative efforts, Vilabouly District was removed from the government’s list of poorest districts in 2015, with per capita income reaching US$900 per annum, representing a 50% increase since 2004. LXML's community development programs have fostered resilient livelihoods and will lead the groundwork for a prosperous post-mine closure economy.