Decision 1626/QD-TTg 2023 approve Master Plan on exploration of assorted construction minerals

DECISION

Approving the Master Plan on exploration, exploitation, processing and use of assorted construction minerals of all types as construction materials for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050^[1]

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the June 19, 2015 Law on Organization of the Government; and the November 22, 2019 Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration;

Pursuant to the November 17, 2010 Law on Minerals;

Pursuant to the November 21, 2017 Planning Law;

Pursuant to the November 20, 2018 Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of Thirty-Seven Laws Concerning Planning;

Pursuant to the Political Bureau’s Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW of February 10, 2022, on strategic orientations for geology, minerals and mining industry through 2030, with a vision toward 2045;

Pursuant to the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 61/2022/QH15 of June 16, 2022, on continued improvement of effectiveness and efficacy of planning policies and laws and a number of solutions for tackling difficulties and obstacles, accelerating the formulation and improving the quality of master plans for the 2021-2030 period;

Pursuant to the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 81/2023/QH15 of January 9, 2023, on the National Overall Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

Pursuant to the Government’s Resolution No. 88/NQ-CP of July 22, 2022, promulgating the Government’s Program of Action to implement the Political Bureau’s Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW of February 10, 2022, on strategic orientations for geology, minerals and mining industry through 2030, with a vision toward 2045;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 158/2016/ND-CP of November 29, 2016, detailing a number of articles of the Law on Minerals;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 37/2019/ND-CP of May 7, 2019, detailing a number of articles of the Planning Law; and the Government’s Decree No. 58/2023/ND-CP of August 12, 2023, amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Government’s Decree No. 37/2019/ND-CP;

Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 995/QD-TTg of August 9, 2018, assigning to ministries the task of organizing the formulation of national sectoral master plans for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 131/QD-TTg of January 17, 2020, approving the task of formulating the Master Plan on exploration, exploitation, processing and use of assorted construction minerals for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 334/QD-TTg of April 1, 2023, approving the Strategy for geology, minerals and mining industry through 2030, with a vision toward 2045;

At the proposal of the Ministry of Construction in Report No. 29/TTr-BXD of May 30, 2023, Document No. 126/BC-BXD of June 22, 2023, Document No. 3319/BXD-VLXD of July 27, 2023, Document No. 4496/BXD-VLXD of October 6, 2023, Document No. 4886/BXD-VLXD of October 27, 2023, Document No. 5271/BXD-VLXD of November 17, 2023, and Document No. 5704/BXD-VLXD of December 11, 2023; and Appraisal Report No. 18/BC-HDTD of April 4, 2023, of the Council for Appraisal of the Master Plan on exploration, exploitation, processing and use of assorted construction minerals for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050.

DECIDES:

Article 1. To approve the Master Plan on exploration, exploitation, processing and use of assorted construction minerals for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050 (below referred to as the Master Plan), with the following contents:

1. Viewpoints

a/ The exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals must be in line with the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies on development of the mineral exploitation and processing industry, the national socio-economic development master plan, and the National Overall Master Plan.

b/ The exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals of all types must ensure sustainable development, satisfaction of the domestic demand and sufficient mineral reserves for the development of the construction material industry for the immediate future and the long term; security, national defense and socio-economic efficiency; protection of the environment, historical and cultural relics, harmony of interests of the country, localities and enterprises; prioritization and promotion of domestic economic sectors’ investment in large-scale mineral exploitation and processing projects that apply modern technologies reasonably and effectively use minerals, and protect natural landscapes.

c/ To promote exploration and deep exploration of mineral areas in planned coordinates and areas in order to fully evaluate resources and reserves and recover to the utmost minerals in association with protection of the environment and natural landscapes; to make selective investment in areas with abundant mineral reserves in order to bring into full play potential and advantages and create a driving force for socio-economic development.

d/ Mineral exploitation must ensure the optimal recovery of primary minerals and secondary minerals; adequate supply of materials for domestic mineral processing projects; harmonious balance of import and export; export of only processed minerals up to export standards as prescribed.

dd/ To apply modern science and technology, information technology, and carry out digital transformation to achieve the goals of efficient exploitation of mineral resources, sustainable development, and effective response to climate change.

2. Objectives

a/ General objectives

- To sustainably develop the exploration, exploitation, processing and use of assorted construction minerals, commensurate with mineral potential, meeting to the utmost the demand for materials for the construction material production, thereby mitigating negative impacts on the ecological environment and landscapes; to form the concentrated, complete and efficient industry of exploration and processing of construction minerals with advanced technology and modern equipment following global trends.

- In the period up to 2030: To strive for the target that by 2030, the industry of exploitation and processing of construction minerals will become a modern industry that thoroughly applies information technology and positioning technology solutions to management and production activities; to limit the production of construction materials that inefficiently uses natural resources; to apply science and technology and shift to use advanced and modern equipment in the mineral exploitation and processing after the circular economy model, ensuring climate change response and greenhouse gas emission reduction; to meet the domestic and export demand for products of high added value and competitiveness; to invest in exploitation and process of minerals for use as materials for cement and marble production for it to become a key industry with sustainable development, commensurate with mineral reserves.

- In the period subject to the vision toward 2050: To develop the mineral exploitation and processing and construction material production industry into a strong economic sector attaining an advanced and modern level and roughly meeting the domestic demand; to thoroughly apply information technology, artificial intelligence, comprehensive transformation of technologies and equipment of mineral exploitation and processing facilities to advanced and modern ones after the circular economy and green economy models as in the advanced Asian countries, striving to reach the goal of net-zero emissions before 2050; to terminate natural resource-intensive and polluting activities in production of construction materials, and prioritize the development of green materials and eco-friendly new materials; to promote the formation and development of a number of large-scale mineral exploitation and processing and construction material production enterprises that can efficiently operate and become internationally competitive.

b/ Specific objectives

- Regarding exploration:

To conduct exploration to evaluate the quality and reserves of construction materials as planned, including new reserve and upgraded reserve exploration within the scope of operating exploitation projects in order to ensure efficient use of mineral resources and optimally meet the demand for materials for the construction material production in the period up to 2030, with a vision toward 2050; to strive for completion of the exploration and approval of reserves under granted exploration licenses.

- Regarding exploitation:

+ To maintain the validity of granted exploration licenses to ensure stability for ongoing projects on processing and use of construction minerals.

+ To grant licenses for mineral exploitation projects in explored areas under the Master Plan, ensuring sufficient mineral reserves and quality optically meeting the demand for materials for construction material processing and producing facilities that has been operating or invested or to be invested. The mineral exploitation must ensure the optimal recovery of primary minerals and secondary minerals, protection of landscapes, the environment, cultural and historical relics, and maintenance of security and national defense. The exploitation output of planned minerals under the Master Plan must be the maximum allowable one (exclusive of secondary minerals) determined on the basis of results of the approval of mineral reserves by competent agencies and mineral exploitation investment projects approved under regulations to meet the market’s supply and demand in each period, each region or planed area.

- Regarding processing and use:

+ To maintain and develop projects on processing and use of construction minerals; to intensify technology and equipment innovation and apply technology administration to save resources and energy, improve labor productivity, create products of high added value, and mitigate environmental pollution.

+ To make new investment in projects on processing and use of construction minerals, ensuring the supply of sufficient materials for construction material production.

Objectives of the exploration, exploitation, processing and use of construction minerals are specified in Appendix I to this Decision.

3. Planned exploration and exploitation of minerals of different groups

a/ Minerals for use as cement production materials:

- In the period up to 2030:

+ To grant new exploration licenses for 36 areas of limestone, 46 areas of clay and 31 areas of mineral additives; to complete the exploration and approval of reserves for 14 schemes to explore limestone, 19 schemes to explore clay and 9 schemes to explore mineral additives that have been granted exploration licenses; to additionally explore in depth and upgraded reserves in mines that have been granted exploitation licenses. Total reserves to be explored in all planned areas are expected to reach around 3,658,100 thousand tons of limestone, around 962,600 thousand tons of clay and around 499,300 thousand tons of mineral additives.

+ To grant new exploitation licenses for 38 areas of limestone, 52 areas of clay and 34 areas of mineral additives; to grant exploitation licenses for projects for which additional exploration have been carried out; to implement 115 limestone exploitation projects with reserves of around 1,758,700 thousand tons, 107 clay exploitation projects with reserves of around 348,300 thousand tons, and 49 projects on exploitation of mineral additives with reserves of around 187,900 thousand tons.

- In the 2031-2050 period:

+ To grant new exploration licenses for 45 areas of limestone, 29 areas of clay and 12 areas of mineral additives; to additionally explore in depth and upgrade reserves of mines that have been granted exploitation licenses. Total reserves to be explored in all planned areas are expected to reach around 3,771,900 thousand tons of limestone minerals, around 415,500 thousand tons of clay and around 161,900 thousand tons of mineral additives.

+ To grant new exploitation licenses for 44 areas of limestone, 39 areas of clay and 12 areas of mineral additives; to grant exploitation licenses for projects for which additional exploration have been carried out; to implement 154 limestone exploitation projects with reserves of around 4,837,400 thousand tons, 135 clay exploitation projects with reserves of around 1,079,200 thousand tons, and 59 projects on exploitation of mineral additives with reserves of around 487,500 thousand tons.

b/ Minerals for use as tiling, flooring and fine-art production materials:

- In the period up to 2030:

+ To grant new exploration licenses for 93 areas of minerals for use as tiling, flooring and fine-art production materials and 23 areas of quartz and quartzite; to complete the exploration and approval of reserves of 83 schemes to explore minerals for use as tiling, flooring and fine-art production materials and 9 schemes to explore quartz and quartzite that have been granted licenses; to continue exploration and upgrade reserves of mines that have been granted exploitation licenses. Total mineral reserves to be explored in all planned areas are expected to reach around 407,000 thousand m³ of minerals for use as tiling, flooring and fine-art production materials and around 96,500 thousand tons of quartz and quartzite.

+ To grant new exploitation licenses for 163 areas of minerals for use as tiling, flooring and fine-art production materials and 32 areas of quartz and quartzite; to implement 260 projects on exploitation of minerals for use as tiling, flooring and fine-art production materials with reserves of around 64,100 thousand m³ and 32 projects on exploitation of quartz and quartzite with reserves of around 10,800 thousand tons.

- In the 2031-2050 period:

+ To grant new exploration licenses for 64 areas of minerals for use as tiling, flooring and fine-art production materials and 5 areas of quartz and quartzite; to continue exploration and upgrade reserves of mines that have been granted exploitation licenses. Total mineral reserves to be explored in all planned areas are expected to reach around 607,500 thousand m³ of minerals for use as tiling, flooring and fine-art production materials and around 1,400 thousand tons of quartz and quartzite.

+ To grant new exploitation licenses for 66 areas of minerals for use as tiling, flooring and fine-art production materials and 5 areas of quartz and quartzite; to implement 322 projects on exploitation of minerals for use as tiling, flooring and fine-art production materials with reserves of around 395,700 thousand m³ and 37 projects on exploitation of quartz and quartzite with reserves of around 62,900 thousand tons.

c/ Minerals for use as ceramic, porcelain and refractory material production materials

- In the period up to 2030:

+ To grant new exploration licenses for 52 areas of kaolin and feldspar and 2 areas of refractory clay; to complete the exploration and approval of reserves of 19 schemes to explore kaolin and feldspar and 4 schemes to explore white clay that have been granted licenses; to continue exploration and upgrade reserves of mines that have been granted exploitation licenses; to explore new areas of kaolin, feldspar, white clay and refractory clay after results of basic geological surveys of new minerals are additionally obtained or updated to the Master Plan. Total reserves to be explored in all planned areas are expected to reach around about 214,300 thousand tons of kaolin and feldspar, about 15,200 thousand tons of refractory clay and about 8,200 thousand tons of white clay.

+ To grant new exploitation licenses for 67 areas of kaolin and feldspar, 4 areas of white clay, and 2 areas of refractory clay; to implement 104 projects on exploitation of kaolin and feldspar with reserves of around 135,300 thousand tons, 5 projects on exploitation of white clay with reserves of around 2,900 thousand tons and 3 projects on exploitation of refractory clay with reserves of around 5,800 thousand tons; to grant new exploitation licenses for areas of kaolin, feldspar, white clay and refractory clay after results of the additional exploration and evaluation of mineral reserves are obtained.

- In the 2031-2050 period:

+ To grant new exploration licenses for 1 area of kaolin and feldspar; to continue exploration and upgrade reserves of mines that have been granted exploitation licenses. Total reserves to be explored in all planned areas are expected to reach around about 1,600 thousand tons of kaolin and feldspar.

+ To grant new exploitation licenses for 3 areas of kaolin and feldspar; to implement 103 projects on exploitation of kaolin and feldspar with reserves of around 236,900 thousand tons, 4 projects on exploitation of white clay with reserves of around 3,600 thousand tons and 2 projects on exploitation of refractory clay with reserves of around 11,900 thousand tons.

d/ Main minerals for construction glass production

- In the period up to 2030:

+ To grant new exploration licenses for 15 areas of white sand; to complete the exploration and approval of reserves of 12 schemes to explore white sand that have been granted licenses; to continue the exploration and upgrade reserves of mines that have been granted exploitation licenses. Total reserves to be explored in all planned areas are expected to reach around 305,500 thousand tons of white sand.

+ To grant new exploitation licenses for 26 areas of white sand; to implement 40 white sand exploitation projects with reserves of around 57,700 thousand tons.

- In the 2031-2050 period:

+ To grant new exploration licenses for 3 areas of white sand; to continue the exploration and upgrade reserves of mines that have been granted exploitation licenses. Total reserves to be explored in all planned areas are expected to reach around 4,300 thousand tons of white sand.

+ To grant new exploitation licenses for 4 areas of white sand; to implement 40 white sand exploitation projects with reserves of around 207,200 thousand tons.

dd/ Minerals for industrial lime production

- In the period up to 2030:

+ To grant new exploration licenses for 15 areas of dolomite and 38 areas of limestone; to complete the exploration and approval of reserves of 5 schemes to explore dolomite and 6 schemes to explore limestone that have been granted licenses; to continue the exploration and upgrade reserves of mines that have been granted exploitation licenses. Total reserves to be explored in all planned areas are expected to reach around 206,900 thousand tons of dolomite and 792,400 thousand tons of limestone.

+ To grant new exploitation licenses for 8 areas of dolomite and 43 areas of limestone; to implement 12 dolomite exploitation projects with reserves of around 30,600 thousand tons and 48 limestone exploitation projects with reserves of around 171,900 thousand tons.

- In the 2031-2050 period:

+ To grant new exploration licenses for 18 areas of limestone; to continue the exploration and upgrade reserves for mines that have been granted exploitation licenses. Total reserves to be explored in all planned areas are expected to reach around 867,100 thousand tons of limestone.

+ To grant new exploitation licenses for 19 areas of limestone; to implement 10 dolomite exploitation projects with reserves of around 116,200 thousand tons and 66 limestone exploitation projects with reserves of around 803,900 thousand tons.

Data and detailed lists of plans on exploration and exploitation of construction minerals are provided in Appendices II, III, IV and V to this Decision.

4. Planned mineral processing and use

a/ To intensify research into and application of technologies for recycling and reuse of industrial and agricultural refuse and refuse from other industries for use as materials and fuels for construction material production in order to reduce the use of natural mineral resources and mitigate environmental pollution.

b/ Construction minerals shall be exploited to provide materials for processing and use projects according to the balance of market’s demand. To prioritize domestic demand first and ensure import-export balance; to export only processed minerals up to export standards under regulations.

c/ To invest in cement production projects with reserves and quality of main material sources (limestone and clay) projected in the Master Plan.

d/ To invest in industrial lime production projects with reserves and quality of main material sources (limestone and dolomite) projected in the Master Plan.

Data on planned processing and use of construction minerals  are provided in Appendix VI to this Decision.

5. Infrastructure planning orientations

a/ To synchronously invest in transport infrastructure facilities and general seaports to facilitate the development of mineral exploitation and processing projects appropriate to each stage of development.

b/ To continue upgrading existing transport routes and national power grids and building new ones in deep-lying and remote areas and industrial parks to facilitate the development of mineral projects and socio-economic development of regions or areas.

c/ Mineral exploitation and processing projects are required to formulate plans on transport of materials and goods, ensuring safety and environmental sanitation, as suitable to infrastructure conditions of areas where projects are to be implemented; to promote enterprises’ investment in such specialized transportation systems as conveyor belts, railways, separate loading and unloading ports, etc., for their projects.

6. Scientific and technological development orientations

a/ To accelerate the transformation of technologies and equipment for the exploration, exploitation, processing and use of construction minerals in a modern and advanced fashion, ensuring the optimal recovery of minerals and use of resources after circular economy models; to study the application of hi-tech exploration methods in the stone exploitation in order to mitigate negative impacts on the environment and natural landscapes.

b/ To intensify the application of advanced technologies to the production and use of wastes and refuse as materials and fuels in substitution for natural minerals.

7. Orientations for environmental protection, disaster prevention and control and climate change response.

a/ To intensify the widespread dissemination of legal documents on environmental protection. Investors that carry out mineral exploration, exploitation and processing shall invest in, manage and treat the environment in the course of operation and transport of minerals.

b/ To monitor environmental protection work at mineral exploitation facilities, material processing facilities and construction material factories under regulations; to apply modern and automatic monitoring methods connected via network to agencies in charge of environmental management.

c/ To promote investment in treating industrial wastes into materials and additives for the construction material production industry for use as substitutes for non-renewable material resources.

d/ To intensify inspection, examination and strict supervision of the implementation of commitments stated in environmental impact assessment reports, mineral exploration and processing and construction material production facilities’ commitments to environmental protection and occupational safety.

8. Funds for implementation

a/ Funds for the formulation and management of the Master Plan and implementation of projects on exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals under the Master Plan shall be allocated from the following sources:

- The state budget funds for formulation, announcement and management of the Master Plan, science and technology development, training of human resources, building of database and other contents in accordance with the state budget and public investment laws and relevant laws.

- Social investment sources for projects on mineral exploration, exploitation, processing and use for mineral areas and groups under the approved Master Plan.

b/ Funds for each specific task or project to be formulated in the course of the implementation of the Master Plan shall be submitted to competent authorities for approval under regulations.

9. Solutions to implement the Master Plan

a/ Legal and policy solutions

- To continue reviewing to revise and improve mechanisms, policies and regulations on minerals, master plans, investment, land, environment, taxes, charges, forestry, etc., in order to ensure the consistency, synchronism and convenience in the course of implementation of the Master Plan after it is approved, and at the same time create conditions for enterprises to invest in mineral exploitation and processing projects.

- To intensify coordination between the Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and provincial-level People’s Committees in licensing and managing mineral activities and providing information on the mineral exploitation and processing after licensing.

- To restructure small-sized enterprises with outdated technologies that cause great losses of resources and environmental pollution, carry out mineral exploitation not linked with potential consumers/users so as to form enterprises that are large enough to carry out concentrated mineral exploitation and processing, applying advanced and modern technologies and ensuring occupational safety and environmental friendliness.

- To promulgate mechanisms to promote investment in the construction material production applying modern technologies for economical use of natural resources and using materials and fuels generated from wastes and refuse as substitutes for natural minerals; to establish a mechanism for strict management and control of polluting natural resource-intensive construction material production facilities.

- To promulgate preferential mechanisms and policies to promote the use of low-quality secondary minerals, waste products and wastes from the mineral exploitation and processing for use as ordinary construction materials and backfill materials for the target of developing a circular economy.

b/ Financial and investment solutions

- Financial solutions: To review and promptly adjust taxes, charges and fees on the principle of promoting the development of industries, ensuring compliance with international practices and the consistency of the policy system and harmony of interests between the State, enterprises and people in localities where minerals are exploited.

- Investment solutions: To bring into play internal resources and encourage domestic enterprises capable of playing the key role in the exploration, exploitation and processing of strategic and large-reserve minerals.

c/ Science-technology solutions

- To intensify scientific research in the mineral exploration, exploitation, processing and use in order to ensure the optimal recovery of primary minerals, secondary minerals and low-quality minerals.

- To invest in technological innovation, use advanced and modern equipment for mineral exploration, exploitation and processing in order to efficiently use resources, save energy, ensure occupational safety and environmental protection.

- To formulate mechanisms and policies to facilitate the development of digital platforms, digital data infrastructure and digital maps to serve the scientific research, and exploration, exploitation, processing and use of construction minerals.

- To regularly update and apply advanced science and technology to the exploration, exploitation and processing of construction minerals in the direction of meeting the criteria of circular economy, green economy and low-carbon economy.

d/ Public communication and awareness improvement solutions

- To intensify public communication and dissemination of guidelines, policies and laws on minerals, and publicization of mineral master plans.

- To raise the public awareness about the role of and laws on minerals; to intensify community supervision of mineral activities in localities; to publicize revenues of mineral enterprises and their use.

- To diversify methods of public communication, utilize advantages of digital technology, social networks and grassroots information systems, and intensify the public communication to improve the public awareness about mineral activities; to promptly provide objective and truthful information and prevent inciting, manipulating and distorting activities of reactionary organizations to sabotage guidelines and policies of the Party and State.

dd/ Training solutions

- To focus on investing in innovation and modernization of equipment and training and retraining methods at specialized training and research institutions and laboratories; to improve scientific research capacity and quality with state budget funds and socially mobilized resources.

- To enhance cooperation between domestic schools, scientific research institutions and laboratories and international training and research institutions in training experts and skilled workers, and supplying high-quality equipment for training and research institutions and laboratories.

e/ International cooperation solutions

- To promote scientific and technical cooperation and technology transfer in the mineral exploration, exploitation, processing and use, environmental protection, occupational safety and application of information technology in the mineral resource management and administration, environmental monitoring, forecasting and administration, and automatic control in order to improve efficiency, reduce resource loss, improve labor productivity and product quality, and protect the environment.

- To intensify investment in projects on exploitation and processing of construction minerals of a large scale and with high technological requirements.

g/ Capital mobilization solutions

In addition to state budget funds, investment capital for projects on mineral exploration, exploitation and processing shall be mainly covered by enterprises with their own capital or commercial loans on the finance market or capital mobilized from other sources, specifically:

- The state budget shall:

+ Allocate funds for the formulation, review modification and publicization of the Master Plan, building and management of data on the Master Plan under current regulations.

+ Provide financial support for scientific research, human resource training, application of advanced technology in the mineral exploration, exploitation and processing so as to economically and effectively use non-renewable mineral resources under national key science and technology programs serving the innovation and modernization of the mineral exploitation and processing technology approved by the Prime Minister.

- Other capital sources: Funds for exploration, exploitation, processing and use of construction minerals shall come from lawful financial sources of organizations and individuals, and domestic and foreign investment funds in accordance with law.

h/ Human resource solutions

- To formulate plans on recruitment and training of human resources to meet sectoral requirements and development progress of mineral exploration and exploitation projects, especially human resources with high technical and professional qualifications and skills capable of acquiring new technologies.

- To attach importance to recruitment and training of local workers, especially in mountainous areas with difficult and particularly difficult socio-economic conditions.

- To adopt policies to attract and preferentially treat high-quality human resources; to attach importance to improving material and spiritual lives of workers.

- To recruit and arrange cadres, civil servants and managerial public employees in the field of minerals and mineral planning who have expertise and practical experience; to update their knowledge about mineral and environmental protection laws and relevant laws; especially, to build up the contingent of cadres, civil servants and public employees engaged in the local mineral management.

i/ Solutions for managing overlapping areas between the construction master plan and the master plan on exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050, approved by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 866/QD-TTg of July 18, 2023.

For overlapping multi-purpose mineral areas (including: marble, quartz, quartzite) between the above 2 master plans, the balance of supply-demand for the construction material production industry shall be calculated and summarized in this Master Plan for use as a basis for the management of, and grant of licenses for, mineral activities of exploiting construction minerals. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, based on technical standards of minerals and criteria of benefits to the country, shall determine main fields in which minerals are used and decide on agencies in charge of master plan management in overlapping mineral areas after obtaining results of the exploration and approval of mineral reserves.

List of overlapping areas between the construction master plan and the master plan on exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050, approved by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 866/QD-TTg of July 18, 2023, is provided in Appendix VII to this Decision.

Article 2. Organization of implementation

1. The Ministry of Construction shall:

a/ Take responsibility for the accuracy of data, documents, diagrams, maps and databases in the Master Plan’s dossier, ensuring conformity with this Decision.

b/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, sectors, localities and related agencies in, publicizing the Master Plan and making plans to implement the Master Plan under regulations; carry out examination and inspection, settle complaints and denunciations, and handle violations of the planning law within the ambit of its competence.

c/ Manage and archive data, documents, diagrams, maps and databases in the Master Plan’s dossier, ensuring conformity with this Decision; update information and database on master plans on construction minerals into the national information system and database on master plans in the cyber environment; provide information on the Master Plan to agencies, organizations and individuals under regulations.

d/ Regularly report on planning activities, evaluate the Master Plan’s implementation, review the Master Plan in order to propose and report to the Prime Minister for modification of the Master Plan under the planning and mineral laws and other relevant laws.

dd/ Receive information and data on construction material areas as results of basic geological surveys of minerals conducted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and construction material areas, meeting requirements on mineral resources/reserves and quality proposed by provincial-level People’s Committees in the course of managing local mineral activities before reporting them to the Prime Minister for consideration, supplementation or modification of the Master Plan under regulations.

e/ Coordinate with localities in the course of implementing investment projects on exploitation, processing and use of construction minerals under the Master Plan and relevant regulations.

g/ Coordinate with ministries, sectors and localities in developing specific mechanisms and policies to facilitate and promote the use of construction minerals in an economical, effective and eco-friendly manner; prioritize projects that produce and use construction materials recycled from industrial and construction refuse and from wastes of other sectors and fields so as to promote circular economy.

h/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and related ministries, sectors and localities in, evaluating the possibility of using sea sand as construction and backfill materials; formulate and promulgate techno-economic standards and norms for construction materials using sea sand; and at the same time, study and develop plans on exploration, exploitation, processing and use of sea sand for being incorporated in this Master Plan under regulations.

i/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and provincial-level People’s Committees (of localities in which minerals are available) in, specifically determining locations, areas, coordinates, mineral resources/reserves, and exploitation capacity, planning period, etc., of construction mineral areas currently facing planning difficulties in order to report them to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision before granting licenses for mineral activities; and at the same time, update above information into the national database on master plans.

2. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall:

a/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Construction and related provincial-level People’s Committees in, granting licenses for exploitation of construction minerals under the Master Plan, ensuring the use of advanced technologies, occupational safety, environmental protection and socio-economic efficiency of projects on exploitation and processing of construction minerals in order to ensure stable and long-term supply of materials for the construction material production industry; consult the Ministry of Construction in the course of appraisal and grant of licenses for exploration and exploitation of construction minerals in order to ensure the supply-demand balance and improve investment efficiency of mineral exploration and exploitation schemes/projects; consult the Ministries of Construction and Industry and Trade in appraising and granting licenses for exploration and exploitation of minerals (marble, quartz, quartzite, white sand associated with titanium) in overlapping mineral areas.

b/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Construction and localities in, examining and inspecting projects on exploitation and processing of construction minerals; handle under regulations projects that fail to comply with the planning and mineral laws.

c/ Speed up basic geological surveys of construction minerals, particularly mineral additives for production of cement, kaolin, feldspar, white clay, refractory clay, etc., and promptly provide information on results of basic geological surveys of construction minerals to the Ministry of Construction for reporting to the Prime Minister for consideration of updating, supplementation or modification of the Master Plan.

d/ Coordinate with the National Council for Evaluation of Mineral Reserves in the course of appraisal and approval of mineral reserves so as to ensure that reports on mineral exploration results must cover all useful minerals with reserves and resources determined in exploration areas for use as a basis for formulation of exploitation projects; to recover to the utmost multi-purpose minerals so as to save mineral resources and protect the environment.

dd/ Review and add construction mineral sites/areas that have mineral potential (included in the preceding period’s master plans) but which remain ineligible for being included in this Master Plan (yet to have corner coordinates and survey data and to be subject to the evaluation of mineral resources, etc.) or in the master plan on basic geological survey of minerals for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision towards 2050.

e/ Urgently complete the survey and evaluation of sea sand (in the coastal area of Soc Trang province); and at the same time, additionally study the overall survey and evaluation of the potential of sea sand for use as construction materials in master plans on basic geological surveys of minerals approved by the Prime Minister in order to zone off and publicize potential sea sand areas for being added into the master plans on exploration and exploitation of minerals and licensing of mineral activities under regulations.

g/ Study contents of the state management of planning and licensing of exploration and exploitation of sea sand for being added into the draft Law on Geology and Minerals in the process of formulating the revised Mineral Law.

h/ Coordinate with the Ministries of Construction, Industry and Trade, Finance, and Planning and Investment in managing master plans on minerals and mineral activities; share information about mineral activities of enterprises after obtaining mineral activity licenses.

i/ Provide a national geographic database and a standardized national topographic map system to create framework data for the national information system and database on master plans.

3. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall coordinate with the Ministries of Construction, Natural Resources and Environment, and Planning and Investment in managing the Master Plan and granting mineral activity licenses for overlapping mineral areas (where exist marble, quartz, quartzite, white sand with titanium).

4. Related ministries and sectors shall, within the ambit of their assigned functions and tasks, coordinate with the Ministry of Construction in performing their tasks in the course of implementing the Master Plan, ensuring promptness, quality and efficiency.

5. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall:

a/ Coordinate with the Ministries of Construction, Natural Resources and Environment, and Planning and Investment in organizing the implementation and management of the Master Plan and the grant of licenses for exploitation of ordinary construction minerals under provincial master plans; refrain from including ordinary construction minerals in provincial master plans or master plans of socio-economic development projects, and zone off areas in which mineral activities are banned/temporarily banned or natural forests are contiguous to construction mineral areas/mines already planned for exploration and exploitation for the 2021-2030 period without the consent of agencies in charge of master plan management.

b/ Examine and supervise activities of exploiting construction minerals in their localities; effectively prevent the illegal exploitation and export of construction minerals; thoroughly handle facilities exploiting and processing construction minerals that fail to meet technical safety requirements and cause environmental pollution.

c/ Annually report to the Ministries of Construction and Natural Resources and Environment on the implementation of master plans on construction minerals and management of local mineral activities under regulations; promptly report to the Ministries of Construction and Natural Resources and Environment when finding areas where exist new construction minerals or areas where exist construction minerals accompanied with ordinary construction minerals up to the requirements on reserves and quality for the production of cement, industrial lime, tiling and flooring stones, ceramics, refractory materials and construction glass in the course of managing the exploitation of construction minerals in their localities before reporting such to the Prime Minister for consideration of supplementation or modification of the Master Plan.

d/ Intensify the public communication and dissemination of guidelines, policies and laws on minerals when implementing the Master Plan in their localities.

dd/ Study, evaluate and clarify the effectiveness of the implementation in case there is a boundary contiguity of mineral areas under the Master Plan to those under other socio-economic development master plans and projects of their localities; propose reasonable solutions and plans and specific roadmaps, thus ensuring the feasibility and conformity with the State’s guidelines and policies, relevant regulations, to competent authorities for consideration and decision.

e/ Review provincial master plans before requesting competent authorities to consider and modify them (when necessary), ensuring the conformity with the Master Plan on exploration, exploitation, processing and use of construction minerals for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050, in accordance with the planning law.

6. Related organizations and individuals shall coordinate with competent agencies in organizing and implementing the Master Plan; summarize and report relevant information and report problems (if any) arising in the exploration, exploitation, processing and use of construction minerals.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect on the date of its signing. Any problems arising in the course of implementation should be summarized by the Ministry of Construction for report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

Article 4. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies, chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees, and related agencies shall implement this Decision.-

For the Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
TRAN HONG HA

* The appendices to this Decision are not translated.