Change the agencies receiving dossiers for licensing mineral activities

On May 12, 2023, the Government issues Decree No. 22/2023/ND-CP on amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decrees related to business activities in the field of natural resources and environment.

Decree No. 22/2023/ND-CP amends Article 47, Decree No. 158/2016/ND-CP on Agencies receiving dossiers for licensing mineral activities, dossiers for approval of mineral deposits, and dossiers for mineral mine closure as follows:

- The Office for receiving and returning results of handling administrative procedures of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall take responsibility for receiving and returning results of administrative procedures under the licensing competence of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (previously called the General Department of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam).

The Public Administration Center of the provincial-level People's Committee (or the Division for Receiving and Returning Results of the provincial-level Department of Natural Resources and Environment) shall receive dossiers for licensing mineral activities (previously prescribed by the provincial-level Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Apart from changing dossier-receiving agencies, the Decree also shorten the time of carrying out the procedures for the grant of mineral exploration licenses, in particular:

- The term for the dossier-receiving agency to check the dossiers within 03 working days (previously prescribed by 05 days).

- Within 38 working days, the dossier-receiving agency shall complete the appraisal of papers and documents and other issues relating to mining activities and determination of the charge for the grant of the mining right. (Previously prescribed by 40 days).

Within 03 working days after receiving a dossier for a grant of a mineral exploration license from the licensing agency, the dossier-receiving agency shall notify the results of the dossier processing to the applicant for it/him/her to perform relevant obligations under regulations. (Previously prescribed by 07 days).

The Decree No. 22/2023/ND-CP takes effect on May 12, 2023.