Hanoi (VNA) – The Mineral and Geology Law, passed by the 15th National Assembly on November 29, supplements numerous provisions, establishing a clearer legal framework to address existing challenges, thus positioning minerals as a key resource for socioeconomic development in the near future, said Mai The Toan, Deputy Director of the Department of Mineral Resources of Vietnam under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Toan told the press that the law clearly defines the responsibility of the State in conducting geological surveys, enhancing environmental protection, and ensuring the harmony of interests between the State, mining organisations, and individuals as well as communities affected by mining activities.
The document also includes new provisions to foster the decentralisation of power to local authorities, in parallel with resource allocation and capacity-building for lower-level agencies. It also introduces measures for oversight, monitoring, and power control, particularly at the implementation level. Administrative procedures under the law have been thoroughly reviewed and streamlined.
The official said the approval of the law aims to institutionalise the directives of the Party and State outlined in the Politburo’s Resolution 10-NQ/TW, dated February 10, 2022, regarding strategic orientations on geology, minerals, and the mining industry through 2030 with a vision towards 2045.
It also aligns with the broader legal framework, with revised and new documents, including the 2015 Civil Code, the 2013 and 2024 Land Law, the 2014 and 2020 Construction Law, the 2016 Law on Asset Auctions, the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection, the 2018 Biodiversity Law, and the Law on Water Resources 2023.
The Mineral and Geology Law is expected to address such issues as inaccuracies in calculating and collecting mining rights fees based on approved reserves. These discrepancies often require state agencies to recalculate and reapprove fees when reserves change during extraction, leading to resource inefficiencies and additional complications.
Toan said to ensure the effective implementation of the law, it is crucial to disseminate it among officials and public servants at all-level resource and environmental management agencies, and to promptly develop and issue guidelines for the implementation work.
At the same time, local authorities need to prepare both human resources and technical infrastructure to build databases and carry out annual monitoring and control of mineral extraction, he said, stressing that priorities should be given to establishing digital databases and preparing equipment and technology in service of inspections.
The official also highlighted the close and effective coordination among state management agencies, from planning and licensing to mine closure, ensuring the minimisation of all potential negative impacts, risks, and environmental or social incidents throughout the life cycle of mining projects and after mine closure.
In the coming period, he said, it is essential to integrate mine planning, exploration and management with urbanisation, water supply, transportation, irrigation, forestry, tourism, and environmental protection in a cohesive manner.
Additionally, incentives should be introduced to encourage sustainable mining practices that balance the benefits of mineral extraction with environmental protection, ensuring the interests of both present and future generations, as well as all stakeholders involved, he said./.
