Decision 866/QD-TTg 2023 Master plan on mineral exploration for 2021-2030

DECISION

Approving the Master plan on mineral exploration, mining, processing and use for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050

__________

THE PRIME MINISTER

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

Pursuant to the Mineral Law dated November 17, 2010;

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

Pursuant to the Planning Law dated November 21, 2017;

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

Pursuant to the Resolution No. 81/2023/QH15 dated January 9, 2023 of the 15^th National Assembly on the National Overall Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

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

Pursuant to the Decision No. 334/QD-TTg dated April 01, 2023 of the Prime Minister on approving the Strategy for geology, minerals and mining industry through 2030, with a vision toward 2045;

Pursuant to the Decision No. 295/QD-TTg dated February 25, 2020 of the Prime Minister on approving the task of formulating the Master plan on mineral exploration, mining, processing and use for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

At the proposal of the Minister of Industry and Trade in the Report No. 3065/TTr-BCT dated May 19, 2023; the Appraisal Report No. 26/BC-HDTDQHKS dated April 21, 2023 of the Appraisal Council of the Master plan on mineral exploration, mining, processing and use for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050.

DECIDES:

Article 1. To approve the Master plan on mineral exploration, mining, processing and use for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050 with the following main contents:

A. SCOPE AND BOUNDARIES OF THE MASTER PLAN

Scope and boundaries of the master plan: Master plan for exploration, mining, processing and use of minerals, except minerals of petroleum, coal, peat, radioactive ores (uranium ore, thorium ore, etc.) as construction materials and scattered minerals in accordance with the law on minerals. The boundaries of the master plan are the areas of mineral distribution and mineral processing on the land area of the whole country.

B. VIEWPOINTS, OBJECTIVES OF DEVELOPMENT

I. VIEWPOINTS

1. The exploration, mining, processing and use of minerals must conform to the national overall master plan and be compatible with national master plans, sectoral master plans, regional and local master plans and in harmony with the requirements of protecting natural landscapes, historical-cultural relics, scenic spots and people's lives.

2. The minerals are finite natural resources; the mining, processing and use of minerals must be carried out on the basis of exploration and overall assessment of factors on reserves, resources and quality of minerals, mining and processing capacity and demand for use, ensuring conservation and efficiency and requirements on national reserve mineral resources.

3. The mineral resources shall be managed in a strict, public and transparent manner; the economic sectors with experience and capacity in processing and mining of minerals are encouraged to invest in exploration, mining, processing and use of minerals on the basis of respecting market principles, assuring the interest harmony among the State, citizens and enterprises; ensuring reasonable and effective balance between mineral export and import, giving priority to meeting domestic demand.

4. Develop the field of exploration, mining, processing and use of minerals in association with the application of advanced and modern science and technology in association with the process of transforming the country's economy towards green economy, circular economy, low-carbon economy and in line with international commitments to which Vietnam is the contracting party.

5. For strategic and important minerals of a large scale (bauxite, titanium, rare earths, chromite, nickel, gold), the enterprises with mining license must have sufficient capacity and must invest in appropriate processing projects using advanced technology, modern equipment, and ensuring sustainable environmental protection.

6. Limit and proceed to stop exploiting low-resource, scattered, small-scale mines, concentrating mineral resources from small-scale mines/ mine sites into clusters of mines of large enough scale for synchronous investment in exploration, mining, processing and application of advanced technology and modern equipment.

II. DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

1. General objectives

a) Mineral resources are strictly managed, exploited, processed and used economically and efficiently, associated with the development needs of the economy, environmental protection, adaptation to climate change and aiming toward the goal of carbon neutrality. Intensify investment in and form synchronous and efficient mining and processing industry with advanced technology and modern equipment in line with the world's trend.

b) For strategic and important minerals of a large scale (bauxite, titanium, rare earths, chromite, nickel, copper, gold), the enterprises with mining license must have sufficient capacity and must invest in appropriate processing projects using advanced technology, modern equipment, and ensuring sustainable environmental protection.

c) Limit and proceed to stop exploiting low-resource, scattered, small-scale mines, concentrating mineral resources from small-scale mines/mine sites into clusters of mines of large enough scale for synchronous investment from exploration, mining, processing and application of advanced technology and modern equipment.

2. Objectives for a number of strategic and important minerals of a large scale in the period of 2021 - 2030

a) Bauxite minerals: The exploration and mining must be carried out in combination with deep processing (minimum viable product of alumina); the investors selected to carry out exploration and mining projects must be capable of synchronously implementing projects from exploration to deep processing, using advanced technology and modern equipment, protecting the environment, especially they must pay attention to the sustainable and effective red mud disposal and treatment plan. Encourage enterprises to research and apply new technologies to recycle red mud. New projects on aluminum production by electrolysis technology must implement electricity prices according to the market mechanism, which encourages the use of renewable energy.

b) Titanium minerals: Develop the titanium mineral mining and processing industry with a reasonable roadmap and scale under each period, gradually form mining - sorting technology complexes and titanium mineral processing industrial clusters with complete infrastructure facilities. The coastal titanium projects have solutions to ensure the balance of water sources for production and people's needs, development of agriculture and aquaculture. Focus on promoting cooperation in research, technology transfer, investment in mining and processing titanium synchronously with deep-processed products (pigment, titanium dioxide, metal titanium, high-grade zirconium, monazite, etc.).

c) Rare earth minerals: Develop the industry of mining, processing and using rare earth minerals in a synchronous, efficient and sustainable manner. For enterprises newly licensed to exploit rare earth minerals, it must be associated with processing projects with minimum viable product of oxides, hydroxides, and rare earths salts with TREO content ≥ 95%, encourage production of minimum viable product of separate rare earths elements (REO), advanced technology, modern equipment, maximum recovery of accompanied useful minerals, ensure environmental protection, radiation safety.

d) Nickel, copper, gold minerals: exploit the nickel, copper and gold ores in association with processing investment projects in a synchronous, efficient and sustainable manner and maximize the recovery of the accompanied minerals and ensure the environment protection.

dd) Chromite minerals: Exploit the chromite in association with mining and processing project to recover the maximum amount of accompanied minerals of nickel, cobalt, and bentonite.

Iron minerals: Research and license iron ore exploration and mining for units with experience and capacity in processing and mining iron ores for processing limolite, hematite, poor iron, iron lateritic minerals in the Central Highlands, iron ores in the country producing quality iron ore products for use in blast furnaces of domestic iron and steel establishments.

e) Apatite minerals: Bring into the fullest play advantages of internal resources, international cooperation in the field of scientific research, technology transfer, application and sorting of class-II, class-IV and poor apatite, production of selective drugs. Focus on promoting investment in mining, sorting and processing of class-II and class-IV apatite in order to use resources efficiently and economically.

g) Other minerals such as copper, gold, lead, zinc, etc.: The natural resources must be well managed, the mining and processing activities must use advanced technology and equipment, ensure safety and the environment protection, recover maximum mineral resources to meet domestic demand. Grant licenses for exploration and exploitation in association with identified deep processing users. In order to synchronize state management, mining projects, investment projects on processing bauxite, titanium, rare earths, chromite, nickel, copper, gold, lead, zinc and iron must be consulted by the state management agency in charge of mineral mining and processing before granting a license.

3. Specific objectives

a) Exploration objectives

The objectives for exploration of mineral types/groups in the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision toward 2050 are summarized in the following table 1:

Table 1: Objectives of exploration of mineral types/groups in the master plan period.

The 2031-2050 period: After having the approved results of the geological and mineral investigation and assessment in the 2021 - 2030 period, the exploration of newly discovered mines will be considered.

b) Objectives for ore mining and sorting

- Maintain the granted mining licenses in accordance with the law to ensure the stability of mineral processing and use projects that have been invested in construction.

- Newly invest in projects when the project proves specific consumers (using unit, organization), meeting the demand for raw materials for the economic development of the country.

The expected objectives are summarized in Table 2 as follows:

Table 2: Mining objectives for mineral types in the master plan

c) Objectives for processing

Concentrate domestic resources and promote international cooperation in investment in deep processing of minerals such as: bauxite, titanium, rare earths, nickel, chromite, etc. For each type of mineral, see Table 3 below:

Table 3: Objectives of mineral processing in the master plan

C. MASTER PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MINERAL TYPES

I. RESOURCES AND RESERVES

Resources and reserves mobilized in the master plan period in the period through 2030, with a vision toward 2050 are summarized in Table 4 below (see details in attached Appendix I):

Table 4: Reserves and resources of minerals mobilized in the master plan period

II. MASTER PLAN FOR EXPLORATION, MINING, PROCESSING OF MINERALS

1. Bauxite minerals

Exploration and mining of bauxite minerals, production of alumina, aluminum metal synchronously with the development of transport infrastructure, seaports, electricity and water supply, environmental assurance and appropriate biodiversity conservation suitable for each specific period; ensure security and defense, preserve national cultural identity, protect the ecology of the Central Highlands.

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: implement 19 schemes in Lang Son (1), Dak Nong (7), Lam Dong (8); Binh Phuoc (2); Gia Lai (1) with a reserve target of ≈ 1,709 million tons of crude ore.

- 2031 - 2050 period: After having the approved results of geological investigation and assessment in areas with prospects for the period of 2021 - 2030, the exploration of newly discovered mines will be considered.

Details of bauxite mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.1.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the design output of the existing mines; expand and raise capacity of Tay Tan Rai and Nhan Co mines; newly invest in mining projects in: Dak Nong (4 - 5), Lam Dong (2 - 3), Binh Phuoc (1), Gia Lai (1). Total mining output by 2030: 68.150 - 112.200 million tons of crude minerals/year.

Newly invest in 3 projects of bauxite ore mining and sorting in the North: Lang Son (1); Cao Bang (2) with total output of 1,550,000 - 2,250,000 tons of crude ore/year.

For bauxite mines in the Central Highlands (near densely populated areas), consider exploration and grant of early mining licenses to recover maximum mineral resources and be allowed to change land use purposes for economic and social development, etc.

For bauxite mines in the North with low quality, implement maximum recovery of mineral resources, improve the quality of arable land, serve domestic and export demand according to the permission of the competent authorities in accordance with the law.

- Period after 2030: Maintain the design output of the existing mines, invest in new mining projects in Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Binh Phuoc, Kon Tum, etc. to provide bauxite concentrates for invested alumina factory projects and expansion project when needed. Total expected mining output by 2050: 72.3 - 118.0 million tons of crude minerals/year. In addition, the grant of mining of newly explored areas in the 2031 - 2050 period at the proposal of the investors will be considered.

Details of bauxite mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.1.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030:

(1) Production of alumina: Invest in increasing the output of Tan Rai - Lam Dong and Nhan Co - Dak Nong alumina plants from 650,000 tons/year to about 2,000,000 tons/year (divided into 2 phases: raise output to 800,000 tons of alumina/year in phase 1; invest in expansion with output of 1,200,000 tons of alumina/year in phase 2).

Newly invest in alumina production projects in Dak Nong (4), Lam Dong (2), Binh Phuoc (1), Gia Lai (1) with a minimum output of 1,000,000 tons of alumina/year/project or more. The new investment project for alumina production applies advanced technology, in which the red mud treatment technology must use the dry discharge method, ensuring the environment protection and encouraging the project to produce construction materials from red mud. The location selected by the investor and the locality is suitable for dumping red mud, near the mining area.

Total output by 2030: 11,600 - 18,650 thousand tons of alumina/year.

(2) Production of aluminum metal: Complete the pilot project of Dak Nong Aluminum Electrolysis Plant with output of 300,000 tons of ingot aluminum/year, expand to 450,000 tons of ingot aluminum/year. Newly invest in aluminum metal production projects in Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Binh Phuoc and provinces with sufficient suitable energy sources. Total output by 2030: 1,200,000 - 1,500,000 tons of ingot aluminum/year.

The plants can be located in provinces with raw materials and energy sources. The new aluminum electrolysis plant must follow the market mechanism, encourage investment in renewable energy projects to ensure a part of the energy on the exploited bauxite mines and produce products processed from aluminum, develop mechanical engineering and supporting industries and conform to the content of the Prime Minister's Decision No. 09/QD-TTg dated February 11, 2023 on promulgating the Action Plan to implement the Conclusion No. 31-KL/TW dated March 7, 2022 of the Political Bureau on the development orientation of the bauxite - alumina - aluminum industry through 2030, with a vision toward 2045.

- The 2031 - 2050 period:

(1) Production of alumina: Maintain the design output and invest in expanding output of the existing plants.

Total estimated output: 12,000 - 19,200 thousand tons of alumina/year.

(2) Production of aluminum metal: Maintain the output of Dak Nong aluminum electrolysis plant; newly invest in aluminum metal production projects associated with self-sufficiency of raw materials, encourage investment in renewable energy projects in the exploited bauxite mines. The location and specific projects are decided by investors according to economic efficiency.

Total estimated output: 2,250,000 ÷ 2,450,000 tons of ingot aluminum/year.

Details of bauxite processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.1.

2. Titanium minerals

The grant of new exploration and mining licenses must be associated with the pigment processing and production; Choosing investors to implement new mining projects must be capable of performing synchronously projects from mining to processing and production of pigments, using advanced technology and modern equipment, protecting environment.

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Complete the licensed exploration schemes in Thai Nguyen (2), Quang Binh (3); newly explore schemes in Thai Nguyen (3), Quang Tri (3); Binh Thuan (2) with an exploration target of about 36,200,000 tons of heavy minerals.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Newly explore after having the results of geological and mineral investigation and assessment in the 2021 - 2030 period.

Details of titanium mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.2.

b) Mining

- The 2021 - 2030 period: Maintain the output of licensed mines (23 mines; total licensed output ≈ 1,450,000 tons of heavy minerals/year), newly licensed mines ≈ 32 mines in Thai Nguyen (5), Ha Tinh (1), Quang Binh (3); Quang Tri (4), Binh Thuan (13). Total output ≈ 2,759,000 tons of heavy minerals/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the production of mines licensed for mining and increase the output at Luong Son I, Luong Son II and Luong Son III mines. Total output in the 2021 - 2050 period is expected to reach ≈ 3,634,000 tons of heavy minerals/year.

Details of titanium mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.2.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030:

Maintain the existing processing projects with total output of titanium slag ≈ 319,000 tons/year with 9 invested projects; total output of reverted ilmenite ≈ 20,000 tons/year with 01 invested project; total output of zircon powder + zircon compounds of all kinds ≈ 154,500 tons/year with 10 invested projects.

Newly invest in processing projects:

(1) Titanium slag: Newly invest in 7 - 9 projects with total output of ≈ 770,000 tons/year; the new projects are only licensed to serve pigment production and other industries. The location is chosen by the investor and the locality accordingly.

(2) Reverted ilmenite: Newly invest in 01 project with an expected output of 20,000 - 40,000 tons/year.

(3) Zircon powder, zircon compounds and other products of zircon: Newly invest in or renovate and expand 4-5 processing projects with total output of ≈ 230,000 tons/year;

(4) Pigment: Newly invest in 3-4 processing projects with total output of 320,000 - 450,000 tons/year; the location is chosen by the investor and the locality accordingly.

(5) Artificial rutile: Newly invest in 1-2 production projects with total output of 60,000 - 70,000 tons/year.

(6) Sponge titanium/metallic titanium: Newly invest in 1-2 projects with an output of 10,000 - 15,000 tons/year;

(7) Ferrotitanium: Invest in newly build 1 - 2 plants with a total output of 20,000 - 25,000 tons/year.

(8) Monazite: Newly invest in monazite processing plant with output of 10,000 - 15,000 tons/year to process monazite recovered from ilmenite ore sorting.

In case of eliminating mining of titanium mines in Ninh Thuan, the accompanied titanium processing projects in Ninh Thuan will also be eliminated.

- The 2031 - 2050 period:

Maintain the licensed projects and grant new projects to ensure design output with the following products and total output:

(1) Titanium slag: ≈ 1,323,000 tons/ year.

(2) Reverted ilmenite: Maintain the project output of 40,000 - 60,000 tons/year.

(3) Zircon powder, zircon compounds and other products of zircon: With total output of ≈ 450,000 tons/year;

(4) Artificial rutile: Processing projects with total output of ≈ 110,000 tons/ year.

(5) Production of pigments: Maintain and increase the output of the existing project with the total estimated output of 400,000 - 500,000 tons/year.

(6) Sponge titanium/metallic titanium: Maintain the existing projects, be able to invest in expansion or new addition (if there is a market) and investors of 1-2 projects. Total expected output is 15,000 - 25,000 tons/year.

(7) Ferrotitanium: Maintain the output of plants and be able to consider licensing new 1-2 projects with output of 15,000 - 25,000 tons/year when the investors register for implementation.

(8) Monazite: Maintain the invested monazite processing plant and expand the area in need with output of 15,000 - 20,000 tons/year to process monazite recovered from ilmenite ore sorting.

Details of titanium processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.2.

3. Lead and zinc minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030:

+ Complete the licensed exploration schemes in the previous period with 9 projects with the target reserve of 450,000 ÷ 500,000 tons of lead-zinc metal.

+ Newly grant the licenses for 34 exploration projects in the provinces, including: Tuyen Quang (5); Bac Kan (18); Lao Cai (3); Yen Bai (2); Dien Bien (2); Thai Nguyen (3); Quang Binh (1) with the target reserves of 1,000,000 ÷ 1,050,000 tons of lead-zinc metal reserves.

- The 2031-2050 period: additionally explore to upgrade reserves, deeply explore the existing mines and grant new exploration licenses of 8 ÷ 10 mines with the target reserves of ≈ 555,000 tons of lead-zinc metal reserves.

Details of lead and zinc mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.3.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain production of the licensed projects (12 mines, total output ≈ 700,000 tons of ore/year).

Newly invest in projects in the following provinces: Cao Bang (2); Tuyen Quang (8); Bac Kan (23); Thai Nguyen (3); Lao Cai (3); Yen Bai (3); Dien Bien (3); Quang Binh (1) with total output of ≈ 1,689,000 tons of lead - zinc ore/year to supplement the output for mine sites with expired licenses.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain production of the licensed projects, newly invest in 5-10 projects with total output of ≈ 2,163,000 tons of lead-zinc ore/year.

Details of lead-zinc mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.3.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030:

+ Maintain operations of the invested projects in the provinces of Cao Bang; Ha Giang; Tuyen Quang; Bac Kan; Thai Nguyen, etc. with total processing output of ≈ 215,000 tons of lead - zinc metal/year.

+ Complete the licensed projects: Investment project on construction of Yen Bai multi-ferrous metal plant with output of 40,000 tons/year; Lead metallurgy plant in Bac Kan with output of 20,000 tons/year; Nam Quang - Ha Giang lead and zinc plant with output of 10,000 tons/year.

+ Newly invest in lead - zinc refineries in Cao Bang (1); Tuyen Quang (2), Bac Kan (3); Thai Nguyen (2); Yen Bai (2) with total output of ≈ 165,000 tons of metallic minerals/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the operations of licensed projects, only consider newly grant or increase the output of projects when the source of raw materials for the project can be proven.

Details of processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.3.

4. Iron minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030:

+ Complete schemes on exploration of Ban Tan mine, Banh Tuong mine, Lung Vien mine- Bac Kan; Tan Son mine- Phu Tho; Lang My 2 mine- Yen Bai; Nui Khoang mine, Nui Vom mine- Quang Ngai; etc.

+ Carry out new exploration, expanded exploration and upgrading of reserves of schemes in: Ha Giang (4); Cao Bang (2); Bac Kan (9); Tuyen Quang (1); Phu Tho (1); Thai Nguyen (3); Dien Bien (1); Lao Cai (3); Yen Bai (9); Ha Tinh (1); Quang Nam (1); Quang Ngai (2); with the target reserve of ≈ 105,095 million tons of crude minerals.

- The 2031 - 2050 period:

Carry out new exploration and deeper exploration, expanded exploration and upgrading of reserves of 5 - 10 projects with the target reserves of 40-50 million tons of crude minerals and exploration of iron lateritic minerals in Chu Se and Duc Co regions, Gia Lai province.

Details of exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.4.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030:

+ Maintain output and restore production of licensed projects with total output of 5.0 - 5.5 million tons of crude minerals (excluding output from the temporarily suspended Thach Khe iron mine with output of 5 million tons/year that has been licensed, only mobilized into the master plan under the competent authority’s decision on continuous mining).

+ Newly invest in projects in: Ha Giang (7); Cao Bang (2); Bac Kan (12); Tuyen Quang (1); Phu Tho (2); Lao Cai (5); Yen Bai (9); Hoa Binh (1); Dien Bien (1); Thai Nguyen (4); Thanh Hoa (1); Ha Tinh (3); Quang Ngai (2); Quang Nam (1), with total new output of ≈ 14.8 million tons of crude minerals for domestic iron and steel projects.

- The 2031 - 2050 period:

Maintain production of mines, newly invest in, expand and increase output of 20 mines and upgrade iron lateritic ore mines in Gia Lai with the target national mining output of ≈33.7 million tons of crude minerals/year.

Details of iron mineral mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.4.

c) Processing

Maintain operations of the existing iron ore refineries to ensure the supply of refined ore with Fe content ≥ 60% for domestic iron and steel plants. Carry out new construction or extensive renovation of iron ore refineries in association with new steel production projects.

5. Chromite minerals

a) Exploration

- The 2021 - 2030 period: Implement the scheme on assessment and conversion of reserves for chromite placer in Tinh Me - An Thuong area, Nong Cong district, Thanh Hoa province.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Not available

Details of chromite mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix III.5.

b) Mining

- The 2021 - 2030 period:

+ License to exploit the chromite mine of Co Dinh - Thanh Hoa with output of ≈ 2,300,000 tons of crude ore/year; prioritize mobilizing and exploiting the area near Co Dinh reservoir first to finish mining and hand over the land fund for local socio-economic development.

+ Invest in chromite mining in Tinh Me - An Thuong area, Trieu Son and Nong Cong districts with output of ≈ 2,500,000 tons of crude ore/year.

Newly licensed chromite ore mining and sorting projects must recover the accompanied minerals including Nickel, Cobalt, and Bentonite.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain production of the licensed mines and consider newly investing in mining in other areas at the proposal of the enterprises.

Details of chromite mineral mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.5.

c) Processing

Maintain production of the licensed ferrochrome projects, not license new investment in ferrochrome projects, encourage the existing plants to source the imported materials or convert products to maintain production.

Details of chromite mineral processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.4.

6. Manganese minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030:

+ Complete the licensed exploration schemes such as: Trung Thanh, Coc Hec - Ha Giang; Roong Thay - Cao Bang;

+ Carry out new exploration of 4 mine sites in: Tuyen Quang (1); Cao Bang (2); Ha Tinh (1), with the target reserves of ≈ 1.75 million tons of crude ore.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out new exploration of other areas when there are the results of geological and mineral investigation and assessment in the 2021 - 2030 period.

Details of manganese mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.6.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030:

+ Maintain production of mine sites licensed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and People's Committees of provinces.

+ Newly invest in 9 mining projects after having the results of exploration in the provinces: Ha Giang (3); Tuyen Quang (1); Cao Bang (5); Ha Tinh (1) with total output of 352,000 tons of crude minerals/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the mining of licensed mines, make new investments when new exploration schemes are added to the master plan.

Details of manganese mineral mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.6.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030: maintain operations of, reach the design output of the existing plants in Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan provinces. Total output by 2030: ≈ 256,000 tons/year; (excluding Bac Kan iron-manganese metallurgy project with output of 100,000 tons/year).

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain operations of the existing plants. Not invest in new plants, only expand and increase the output of plants when taking initiative in the source of raw materials. Total capacity: ≈ 306,000 tons/year (excluding Bac Kan iron-manganese metallurgy project).

Details of manganese mineral processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.5.

7. Tin minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030:

+ Complete the licensed exploration schemes (04 schemes): Bu Me - Thanh Hoa; Khe Bun - Ha Tinh; La Vi - Quang Ngai; Tap La - Ninh Thuan.

+ Explore 14 new mines in the provinces: Ha Giang (1); Cao Bang (1); Tuyen Quang (4); Thai Nguyen (2); Nghe An (1); Lam Dong (3) with the target reserve of ≈ 46,030 tons of tin metal.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out additional exploration to upgrade reserves and new exploration of 4-5 mines with the target reserve of ≈ 4,500 tons of tin metal.

Details of tin mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.7.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030:

Maintain the operation of licensed and newly licensed mines, grant licenses to expand and increase mine output in the following provinces: Ha Giang (2); Tuyen Quang (5); Cao Bang (1); Thai Nguyen (3); Thanh Hoa (1); Nghe An (5); Quang Ngai (1); Lam Dong (4); Ninh Thuan (1) with total mining output of ≈ 3,280,000 tons of tin ore/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the annual mining output ≈ 3,026,000 tons of tin ore/year. Consider the grant of licenses for new projects when they have been added to the master plan.

Details of tin mineral mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.7.

c) Processing

Period through 2030: Maintain the output of the existing tin metallurgy projects, not grant new investment licenses.

The 2031-2050 period: Not grant new construction licenses, only consider investment in expansion of the existing projects when taking initiative in the source of raw materials.

Details of tin mineral processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.6;

8. Wolfram minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Complete schemes with licensed exploration, and carry out grant of new exploration licenses for 6 mine sites in the provinces: Ha Giang (1); Tuyen Quang (1); Thai Nguyen (2); Lam Dong (1); Binh Thuan (1) with the target reserves of ≈ 140,100 tons of WO₃.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out new exploration if there are results of geological and mineral investigation and assessment in the 2021 - 2030 period.

Details of wolfram mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.8.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the operation of licensed mines and grant licenses to exploit 8 new mines in the following provinces: Ha Giang (1); Tuyen Quang (1); Thai Nguyen (3); Thanh Hoa (1); Lam Dong (1); Binh Thuan (1) that have been explored to assess its reserves with the target mining output of ≈ 5,115,000 tons of crude ore per year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the operations of the licensed or newly licensed mines when having the results of exploration and supplement the master plan, ensuring the maintenance of output ≈ 7,390,000 tons of crude ore/year.

Details of wolfram mineral mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.8.

c) Processing

The 2021 - 2030 period and the 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the output of the existing wolfram processing plants, not license new investment. Only license to invest in the wolfram processing plants when the investor confirms the source of raw materials (after exploration or import).

Details of wolfram mineral processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.7.

9. Antimony minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Complete the licensed exploration scheme of Lang Vai - Tuyen Quang; grant licenses for new exploration, additional exploration in: Ha Giang (1); Tuyen Quang (2); with the target reserve of 25,930 tons of antimony metal.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out new exploration after having the results of geological and mineral investigation and assessment in the 2021 - 2030 period.

Details of antimony mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.9.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain operations of the mines such as: Mau Due - Ha Giang; Lang Vai - Tuyen Quang and newly invest in explored mines with the target mining output reaching ≈ 40,000 tons of raw ore per year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out new investment in and maintenance of 5 mine sites to ensure the operation of processing plants with output of ≈ 50,000 tons of crude ore/year.

Details of antimony mineral mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.9.

c) Processing

The 2021 - 2030 period and the 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the output of the existing antimony refineries, not license new investment. Only license to invest in the antimony refineries when the investor confirms the source of raw materials (after exploration or import).

Details of antimony mineral processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.8.

10. Copper minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030:

+ Complete the licensed exploration schemes such as: scheme on exploration and supplement of the deep reserves of the whole Sin Quyen copper mine - Lao Cai; scheme on exploration and upgrading of reserves of resource blocks of 333 deep parts of Vi Kem copper mine, Coc My commune, Bat Xat district - Lao Cai; etc.

+ Carry out new exploration and deep exploration of 16 schemes in  the provinces of Lao Cai (7); Yen Bai (1); Son La (2); Cao Bang (2); Thanh Hoa (1); Kon Tum (2) with the target reserves of ≈ 600,000 tons of copper metal.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Continue deep exploration, expand the mines currently under exploitation (10 mines) and newly grant licenses when the mineralization sites are discovered and the geological investigation and assessment are conducted with the target exploration of ≈ 320,000 tons of copper metal.

Details of copper mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.10.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the mining output of the licensed mines such as Sin Quyen, Ta Phoi, Vi Kem - Lao Cai; Khe Cam, Lang Phat - Yen Bai and recover copper from licensed polymetallic mines such as: Nui Phao, Nickel Ban Phuc; Nickel - Copper Quang Trung, Ha Tri communes - Cao Bang.

Carry out new investment, expanded mining, capacity increase, recovery of copper concentrates in the following provinces: Lao Cai (5); Yen Bai (1); Son La (4); Dien Bien (1); Thanh Hoa (1); Cao Bang (2); Kon Tum (3). Total mining output ≈ 11,400,000 tons of copper ore/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Invest in deep mining of explored, upgraded mine sites and newly invest in 5 mine sites in Lao Cai after having the results of exploration.

Details of copper mineral mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.10.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030: Maintain operation of the licensed projects in: Lao Cai, Yen Bai; Thai Nguyen; grant the investment license to 02 new copper refineries in: Tang Loong Industrial Park, Bao Thang District, Lao Cai Province and Kon Ray District, Kon Tum Province. Total processing output ≈ 110,000 tons of metal copper/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the output of the invested copper refineries, not grant new investment licenses, only grant investment license to expand and increase output when the source of raw materials is guaranteed.

Details of copper mineral processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.9.

11. Nickel minerals

Licensed mining enterprises must have the capacity to synchronously carry out investment in processing projects suitable for nickel metal products, use advanced technology, modern equipment, and sustainable environmental protection.

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Complete schemes of mine exploration and upgrading of Ban Phuc nickel mine; Ta Khoa nickel - copper mine - Son La. Carry out new exploration and additional exploration, expanded exploration in areas: Cao Bang (1); Son La (1) with target reserve of ≈ 409,000 tons of nickel metal equivalent.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out additional exploration to upgrade the reserves of 1 mine site in Son La in the area explored in the previous phase with the target reserves of ≈ 30,000 tons of nickel metal equivalent.

Details of nickel mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.11.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain production of Ban Phuc nickel mine - Son La; Suoi Cun nickel - copper mine - Cao Bang; Ha Tri nickel - copper mine - Cao Bang; newly invest in 4 mining projects in Cao Bang (1); Son La (3) with the target mining output of ≈ 7,200,000 tons of nickel ore/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain production of the licensed mines and grant the licenses to expand and upgrade mine sites with expired mining licenses, with total output of ≈ 13,200,000 tons of nickel ore/year.

Details of nickel mineral mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.11.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030: invest in projects for deep processing of metallic nickel;

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain stable operation of the existing processing projects, continue to invest in expanding and upgrading the output of nickel deep processing projects when the source of raw materials is guaranteed.

Details of nickel mineral processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.10.

12. Molybdenum minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: complete the licensed molybdenum exploration project in Lao Cai (Kin Tchang Ho).

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out exploration to upgrade the reserves of 01 mine site in Lao Cai or carry out new exploration of other mines when there are results of geological and mineral investigation and assessment in the 2021 - 2030 period.

Details of molybdenum mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.12.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Invest in mining of Kin Tchang Ho, Pa Cheo molybdenum mines - Lao Cai.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Invest in expanding Kin Tchang Ho mine site if there is a need.

Details of molybdenum mineral mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.12.

c) Processing

Invest in new construction of (NH₄)₂MoO₄ production plant or ferromolybdenum refinery with output of 200 tons/year and increase the output to 400 tons/year in the period after 2030.

Details of molybdenum mineral processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.11.

13. Gold minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030:

+ Complete exploration schemes of mines: Sang Sui - Nam Suong, Pusancap - Area I, Lai Chau province; Cam Muon, Huoi Co (Ban San), Ban Bon areas, Nghe An province; A Dang area, Quang Tri province; A pey B area - Thua Thien Hue province; Ma Dao area, Phu Yen province.

+ Carry out new exploration, additional exploration to upgrade the reserves of mine sites in the provinces: Ha Giang (2); Tuyen Quang (3); Cao Bang (2); Bac Kan (5); Thai Nguyen (1); Lao Cai (1); Yen Bai (1); Lai Chau (3); Son La (2); Quang Tri (3); Thua Thien Hue (1); Quang Nam (9); Phu Yen (1); with the target reserves of ≈ 101 tons of gold.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out additional exploration, expanded exploration and new exploration from 5 newly discovered mine sites and mineral sites, with the target reserves of ≈ 232 tons of metallic gold.

Details of gold mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.13.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain mining to reach the design output of the existing mines and recover maximum gold minerals from copper mining projects, multimetal mines. Newly invest in mines licensed for exploration in the previous period and carry out new exploration in the 2021 - 2030 period. Total expected output by 2030 is ≈ 1,780 million tons of gold ore/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out new investment, expansion investment to increase the output of licensed mines (≈ 10 projects), explored mines and recover maximum gold minerals from multimetallic mineral mining projects.

Details of gold mineral mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.13.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030: Maintain the existing gold processing and refining projects with output of ≈ 6,146 kg/year. Newly invest in gold refining establishments in Lai Chau, Tuyen Quang and expand the existing projects to meet the processing needs of mining establishments.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the licensed processing establishments, only invest in expansion and increase the output of the existing projects. Total output ≈ 6,346 kg of metallic gold/year.

Details of gold mineral processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.12.

14. Rare earth minerals

The licensed mining enterprises must have sufficient capacity and must invest in appropriate processing projects (with minimum viable product of oxides, hydroxides, and rare earth salts with TREO content ≥ 95%, encouraging production of up to rare earth oxides (REO)), use advanced technology, modern equipment, and ensure sustainable environmental protection.

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Complete the licensed exploration schemes in Bac Nam Xe, Nam Nam Xe mines, Lai Chau province. Carry out exploration, upgrading and expansion of mines licensed for mining and new investment in exploration in: Lai Chau (7); Lao Cai (2); Yen Bai (1).

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out additional exploration of the licensed rare earth mines and new exploration of 1-2 mine sites in Lai Chau and Lao Cai.

Details of rare earth mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.14.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Step up the search for mining technologies and markets associated with deep processing of rare earth minerals at mines licensed for mining such as Dong Pao - Lai Chau; Yen Phu - Yen Bai.

Estimate new investment in mining projects in Lai Chau (5), Lao Cai (3); Yen Bai (1).

Total mining output reaches ≈ 2,020,000 tons of crude ore/ year.

- The 2031-2050 period: Maintain operations of the existing projects, invest in expanding the mining of Dong Pao mine and newly invest in 3-4 mining projects in Lai Chau, Lao Cai if there are the investors with synchronous investment in exploration, exploitation and processing associated with the product consumption market. Total mining output reaches ≈ 2,112,000 tons of crude ore/ year.

Details of rare earth mineral mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.14.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030: Complete investment in rare earth processing house in Yen Phu commune, Van Yen district, Yen Bai province.

(1) Total rare earth oxides (TREO): Carry out new investment from 3 rare earth processing - hydrometallurgical projects in Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces with processed products by 2030 (excluding processing output of plants invested from imported raw materials), estimated at 20,000 to 60,000 tons/year.

(2) Rare earth oxides (REO): Newly invest in rare earth extraction and processing projects in Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces or locations suitable for separate rare earth processing products by 2030 (excluding processing output of plants already invested from imported raw materials), estimated at 20,000 - 60,000 tons/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Based on the actual situation, invest in expanding, increase the output of the existing projects. Concentrate on the deep processing of rare earth metals.

(1) Total rare earth oxides (TREO): 40,000 - 80,000 tons/year;

(2) Rare earth oxides (REO): 40,000 - 80,000 tons/year;

(3) Rare earth metals: Newly invest in rare earth refineries, with location selected by the investor with total output of rare earth metals of 7,500 - 10,000 tons/year.

Details of rare earth processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.13.

15. Gemstone minerals

a) Exploration

The development and investment of schemes for exploration and mining of gemstone in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050 are based on the results of an investigation and assessment approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

b) Mining

Maintain the exploitation of Doi Ty - Khe Met gemstone mining project, Quy Chau, Nghe An province.

16. Apatite minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Carry out new exploration of 10 areas with the target reserves of ≈ 260 million tons of apatite minerals of all kinds. Prioritize licensing of deep exploration projects for areas with mining licenses in order to maintain production stability.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out deep exploration in the licensed mines.

Details of apatite mineral exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.16.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030:

+ Maintain production for the projects with mining licenses (13 mines), grant mining licenses to 18 new projects with total target mining output of 10.1 - 12.0 million tons of apatite ore of all kinds.

+ Exploit and recover grade-III apatite in storage areas (13 warehouses) in the form of successive mining with total output of 2,500,000 tons/year to supply the existing refineries to maintain raw materials for processing projects.

+ Exploit and recover poor grade-III apatite ores (content < 10% P₂O₅) and grade-II ones from exploited fields supplied to the refineries in Lao Cai province.

Maintain the operations of the existing apatite ore refineries and newly invest in apatite ore refineries according to mining projects to meet processing demand (newly invested ore refineries with minimum output of 100,000 tons of product minerals/year and maximum output of 300,000 tons of product minerals/year).

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the operations of the licensed and newly licensed projects of 4-5 projects to ensure that the mining output reaches ≈ 16.8 million tons of apatite ores of all kinds, focusing mainly on grade-II apatite.

Details of apatite mineral mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.16.

17. White marble minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Complete the licensed exploration projects (7), license new exploration of mines in Tuyen Quang province (3); Nghe An province (2).

- The 2031 - 2050 period: only consider licensing exploration schemes when needed.

Details of white marble exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.17.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the operations of licensed mine sites with output of ≈ 26 million tons of licensed white stone lumps, granules and powder; grant new mining license for projects licensed for exploration with total output of ≈ 13.3 million tons of white stone lumps, granules and powder/year and ≈ 2.01 million m³ of facing stones/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the operations of the licensed mines, not license new mining.

Details of white marble mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.17.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030:

+ Maintain the output of the licensed stone powder processing plants (54 plants with output of ≈ 7.2 million tons of lumps, granules and powder of all kinds/year). Grant new investment license for 6 white stone powder processing projects in: Yen Bai (4); Bac Kan (1), Nghe An (2) with output of ≈ 2.5 million tons of lumps, granules and powder of all kinds/year.

+ Maintain the existing plants for processing facing stones and construction stones, focus on processing products to serve domestic and export needs.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the operations of licensed projects.

Details of white marble processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.14.

18. Magnesite minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Complete the exploration of the licensed mine sites (Tay Kon Queng and Tay So Ro) in Gia Lai province.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Explore, expand and upgrade the reserves of Tay Kon Queng and Tay So Ro mine sites in Gia Lai province with the target reserves of ≈ 10 million tons.

Details of magnesite exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.18.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Grant mining licenses for Tay Kon Queng mine site and Tay So Ro mine site in Gia Lai province.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the operations of 02 licensed mine sites and invest in expanding the output of these 02 mines if applicable.

Details of magnesite mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.18.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030: Invest in building 01 plant to produce activated calcined magnesite for domestic demand.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain production of the licensed activated calcined magnesite plant.

Details of magnesite processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.15.

19. Serpentine minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030:

+ Carry out new exploration of mine sites in Te Thang commune, Te Loi commune, Nong Cong district, Thanh Hoa province, with the target reserves of ≈ 75 million tons.

+ Explore the area of village 5, Phuoc Hiep commune, Phuoc Son district, Quang Nam province, with the target reserve of ≈ 5.5 million tons.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Not available.

Details of serpentine exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.19.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the operations of the licensed projects such as: Bai Ang - Thanh Hoa; Te Thang - Thanh Hoa; Thuong Ha - Lao Cai with the target output of ≈ 660 thousand tons/year.

Grant license to new projects in:

- Tat Thang mine, Tat Thang commune, Thanh Son district, Phu Tho province with output of 50,000 tons/year.

- Te Thang mine, Te Thang commune and Te Loi commune, Nong Cong district, Thanh Hoa province with a maximum output of 2,000,000 tons/year.

- Te Thang mine, Te Thang commune, Nong Cong district, Thanh Hoa province with a maximum output of 1,000,000 tons/year.

- Mine in village 5, Phuoc Hiep commune, Phuoc Son district, Quang Nam province, with a maximum output of 300,000 tons/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the licensed projects with total output of ≈ 3,360,000 tons/year.

Details of serpentine mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.19.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030: Maintain the operations of the existing Bai Ang serpentine mill and invest in expanding or newly invest in 1 - 2 new powder mill projects with total target processing output of 2,950 - 3,950 thousand tons/year. The post-processed serpentine products are mainly used for the production of fused phosphate fertilizers, additives for the steel industry, ceramics, ceramic tiles, tiling and other industries.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Not grant investment licenses for new projects, only invest in expansion and output increase of the existing projects when needed.

Details of serpentine processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.16.

20. Barite minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Carry out new exploration from 5 schemes with the target reserves of ≈ 2.5 million tons.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Not available.

Details of barite exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.20.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the operations of the licensed projects, license to exploit 6 new projects in Lai Chau (1); Tuyen Quang (2); Cao Bang (3) with total output of ≈ 624,000 tons/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain production of the licensed projects with total national output of ≈ 620,000 tons/year.

Details of barite mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.20.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030: Maintain the operations of the existing barite mills, newly invest in 3-4 new barite grinding projects in Cao Bang (1); Lai Chau (1); Lang Son (1) with total output of ≈ 330,000 tons/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Invest in expanding the output of licensed flour mill projects with the target output of ≈ 430,000 tons/year.

Details of barite processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.17.

21. Graphite minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Complete the licensed exploration schemes such as: An Binh - Yen Bai; Lang Khoai, Lang Ma, Bong 2 - Lao Cai with the target reserve of ≈ 2.5 million tons. Newly grant licenses of exploration in 01 scheme in Lien Son area, Lang Thit commune, Van Yen district, Yen Bai province.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out additional exploration and upgrading of reserves of Van Yen mine, in An Binh Dong Cuong commune, Ngoi A commune, and Yen Thai commune, Van Yen district with the target reserve of ≈ 1.3 million tons.

Details of graphite exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.21.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the operations of the licensed projects and grant licenses to exploit new mines after the reserves have been explored and reported to ensure that the total graphite mining output reaches ≈ 1,151,000 tons/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the operations of the licensed mines with total mining output of ≈ 1.15 million tons/year.

Details of graphite mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.21.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030: Complete investment in the licensed plants of Bao Ha graphite; Nam Thi graphite in Lao Cai; invest in new 2-3 new projects with a processing output of ≈ 110,000 tons of graphite/year with content of > 99% to serve domestic needs.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the operations of the licensed projects with total output of ≈ 110,000 tons of graphite with content > 99% to serve domestic needs.

Details of graphite processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.18.

22. Fluorite minerals

Fluorite minerals are currently exploited independently at Xuan Lanh mine (Phu Yen) or as accompanied products of other mineral mining projects such as Nui Phao multimetallic mine, rare earth mine.

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Carry out new exploration in Khau Pha area, Thuong Quan commune, Ngan Son district, Bac Kan province. Exploration objective of 50,000 tons.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out new exploration at the proposal of the investors.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the licensed mining projects and recover fluorite from the licensed mining projects with the target output of ≈ 450,000 tons/year.

Grant license for the new mining project in Khau Pha area, Thuong Quan commune, Ngan Son district, Bac Kan province.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the mining output and recover associated fluorite of other mining projects, consider new investment at the proposal of the investors.

Details of fluorite mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.22.

c) Processing

The 2021 - 2030 period and period after 2030: Maintain the operations of the existing fluorite processing plant and invest in 1-2 new projects in association with rare earth mining and processing projects. The processing output depends on the mining output of other mineral projects, thus, it is not specified.

Newly invest in fluorite sorting plant in Thuong Quan commune, Ngan Son district, Bac Kan province with output of ≈ 10,000 tons/year.

Details of fluorite processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.19.

23. Bentonite minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Invest in exploration, expansion and upgrading of reserves of licensed mining projects to ensure the operation of the existing projects.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out new exploration under the investor's proposal to meet domestic demand.

Details of bentonite exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.23.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the operations of licensed and newly licensed projects of 4-5 new projects with the target output of ≈ 400,000 tons/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the operations of the licensed mines, ensure total output for domestic demand ≈ 450,000 tons/year.

Details of bentonite mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.23.

c) Processing

- Period through 2030: Maintain Nha Ne bentonite sorting plant- Binh Thuan; Tam Bo bentonite sorting plant - Lam Dong and grant new investment licenses for 3 - 4 bentonite sorting plant projects with the target output of ≈ 165,000 tons of bentonite/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out new investment or expansion to increase the output of bentonite sorting plants to meet the output of ≈ 260,000 tons/year.

Details of bentonite processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.20.

24. Diatomite minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Grant licenses for new exploration or exploration for expansion of the licensed mine sites such as: Hoa Loc - Phu Yen; Dai Lao - Lam Dong with the target reserves of ≈ 25.3 million tons.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Grant licenses for exploration and expansion of Tuy Duong mine - Phu Yen with the target reserve of ≈ 3,500,000 tons.

Details of diatomite exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.24.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain output of the licensed projects and grant new mining licenses for 2-3 mine sites with the target mining output of ≈ 540,000 tons/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Invest in and increase the mining output of the licensed mines or grant new mining licenses for 2-3 mine sites with total target output of ≈ 740,000 tons/year.

Details of diatomite mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.24.

c) Processing

Only invest in expanding the existing diatomite grinding projects or newly invest in powder grinding projects according to the mining projects.

Details of diatomite processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.21.

25. Talc minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Carry out exploration to upgrade reserves of mine sites licensed for mining in the period before 2020 and new exploration from 7 mines investigated and evaluated in Phu Tho (2); Hoa Binh (2); Son La (2); Da Nang (1) with the target reserve of ≈ 4.3 million tons.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Carry out new exploration of mine sites discovered in the process of geological and mineral investigation and assessment in the 2021 - 2030 period.

Details of talc exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.25.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the output of the licensed mining projects such as: Ta Phu mine - Son La province; Thu Ngac mine, Long Coc mine, Phu Tho province; Tan Minh mine, Hoa Binh province.

Newly invest in 09 projects of mine sites that have been licensed for exploration and approved for reserves: Son La (2); Phu Tho (2); Hoa Binh (4); Da Nang (1) with total output ≈ 410,000 tons/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the output of the licensed projects and invest in newly exploiting mines added to the master plan with total target output of ≈ 450,000 tons/year.

Details of talc mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.25.

c) Processing

- Invest in building talcum powder mills together with new licensed mining projects in the 2021 - 2030 period and period after 2030.

- Maintain 01 existing plant in Phu Tho and newly invest in 04 plants in Phu Tho province (1); Hoa Binh province (1); Son La province (1); Da Nang province (1).

Details of talc processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.22.

26. Mica minerals

a) Exploration and mining

In the 2021 - 2030 period: Newly invest in mica exploration and mining projects in Ban Mang area, Ban Ria commune, Quang Binh district and Na Chi commune, Xi Man district, Ha Giang province.

Period after 2030: Not available.

b) Processing

Maintain the existing projects of grinding and sorting mica in kaolin, feldspar with output of ≈ 1,700 tons/year to supply the domestic market.

Details of mica exploration, mining and processing projects are in the attached Appendices II.26; III.26 and IV.23.

27. Pyrite minerals

Currently, there is no need to use Pyrite minerals in the country, so it has not been planned and it is proposed to be included in the national mineral reserve area.

At the proposal of the investor on exploration, mining and processing, it will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

28. Quartzite minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Grant licenses for new exploration and exploration for upgrading reserves of 4 new mine sites in Lao Cai (2); Phu Tho (1); Thai Nguyen (1); with a target reserve of ≈ 23.8 million tons.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Continue to explore and expand mine sites licensed to exploit or newly explore 4-5 mines discovered during the process of geological and mineral investigation and assessment in the 2021 - 2030 period with the target reserves of 28.4 million tons.

Details of quartzite exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.28.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the operations of the licensed mine sites such as: Lang Lai - Thai Nguyen; Thuc Luyen (Don Vang) - Phu Tho; Huong Phong - Thua Thien Hue and grant license to exploit new projects in Lao Cai (2); Thai Nguyen (1); Phu Tho (1); Ha Tinh (1) with total target output of ≈ 1.57 million tons/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Grant licenses to expand and increase the output of the licensed projects and grant mining licenses for 5 - 10 new projects, bringing the total mining output to ≈ 1.82 million tons/year.

Details of quartzite mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.28.

c) Processing:

Quartzite processing (grinding and sorting) is invested according to the output of licensed mining projects in the 2021 - 2030 period and period after 2030 to meet the needs of all sectors of the economy.

Details of quartzite processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.24.

29. Quartz minerals

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Invest in new exploration from 22 new projects with the target reserves of ≈ 11.5 million tons in Cao Bang province (2); Lao Cai province (1); Yen Bai province (3); Bac Kan province (7); Ha Tinh province (3); Binh Dinh province (3); Phu Yen province (2).

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Consider investing in expanding, upgrading reserves or investing in new exploration of 5 - 10 newly discovered mine sites to maintain mining output to serve the needs of the economy.

Details of quartz exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.29.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the operations of the licensed projects and grant new mining licenses for 23 mine sites after the reserves have been explored and reported in Cao Bang (2); Lao Cai (2); Yen Bai (4); Bac Kan (7); Ha Tinh (3); Binh Dinh (3); Phu Yen (2) with total output of ≈ 1,130,000 tons/year.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain the output ≈ 1,070,000 tons/year, be able to raise total output higher under the the economy’s use demand.

Details of quartz mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.29.

c) Processing

Quartz processing (grinding and sorting) is invested according to the output of licensed mining projects in the 2021 - 2030 period and period after 2030 to meet the needs of all sectors of the economy.

Details of quartz processing projects are in the attached Appendix IV.25.

30. Sillimanite minerals

Currently, there are 03 sillimanite mine sites in the whole country that have been identified through geological investigation, one of them has been identified as the Hung Nhuong graphite mine - Quang Ngai, the remaining 02 mine sites have not been explored.

In the 2021 - 2030 period and a vision toward 2050, there is no master plan to exploit and process sillimanite and put it into the national mineral reserve area.

31. Sericite minerals

Maintain the design output of mining project in Son Binh sericite mine, Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province under the license of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Newly invest in 02 sericite ore mining and sorting projects in Bac Yen district, Son La province, with total newly invested output of 70,000 - 130,000 tons/year.

Supplement the new master plan of exploration and mining scheme when new mines are discovered, investigated and evaluated, and have product consumption market.

In the 2021 - 2030 period and a vision toward 2050, maintain mining and processing of projects invested before 2030 and invest in projects with new discoveries.

Details of sericite mining and processing projects are in the attached Appendices III.29 and IV.26.

32. Vermiculite minerals

Supplement the new master plan of exploration and mining scheme when the mine is investigated, evaluated with prospects and has a product consumption market.

In the 2021 - 2030 period and a vision toward 2050, carry out of master plan to Son Thuy - Tan Thuong vermiculite mine, Son Thuy commune, Van Ban district, Lao Cai province.

Details of vermiculite mining projects are in the attached Appendix III.30.

33. Mineral water and natural thermal water

a) Exploration

- Period through 2030: Carry out new exploration of ≈ 150 mine sites (boreholes) with the target exploitation reserve of ≈ 56,990m³ mineral water/day - night to serve the needs of resort tourism and drinking water in: Ha Giang (4); Tuyen Quang (5); Lai Chau (21); Son La (1); Hoa Binh (12); Dien Bien (6); Hanoi (1); Phu Tho (6); Yen Bai (19); Bac Kan (1); Hung Yen (5); Thai Binh (6); Ninh Binh (2); Thanh Hoa (5); Nghe An (1); Ha Tinh (1); Thua Thien Hue (5); Quang Tri (1); Da Nang (2); Quang Nam (8); Binh Dinh (8); Phu Yen (4); Khanh Hoa (8); Binh Thuan (2); Kon Tum (2); Long An (4); Tien Giang (3), etc.

- Period after 2031 - 2050: Depending on the need, the license will be granted at the proposal.

Details of exploration schemes are in the attached Appendix II.31.

b) Mining

- Period through 2030: Maintain the operations of 66 licensed mine sites (mining boreholes) and grant new mining licenses fo 166 mine sites (mining boreholes) with total mining output of ≈ 80,000 m³ mineral water/day and night.

- The 2031 - 2050 period: Maintain mining boreholes throughout the country to meet the needs of resort tourism and bottled drinking water. Consider granting new licenses as needed.

Details of projects on mining of mineral water and natural thermal water are provided in the attached Appendix III.31.

c) Processing: Produce bottled water and carry out mining to serve the needs of bathing and relaxation, not plan for processing projects.

III. MASTER PLAN FOR USE OF MINERAL TYPES

The exploration master plan projects are associated with mining master plan projects, and the mining projects are planned to supply raw materials for the processing projects according to the balance of market demand.

1. For metallic minerals: crude minerals after mining, through sorting to enrich, separate components (in case of multimetallic minerals) into refined ores under the prescribed standards as required for each processing technology to provide processing projects/ plants to produce metal products, alloys or intermediate products mentioned in Table 3 for domestic and export demand.

- Bauxite and gibbsite minerals in the Central Highlands: Carry out mining and sorting of refined ores to supply alumina plants. The aluminum and hydroxide products provide raw materials for aluminum electrolysis plant, other domestic and export needs. Diaspore bauxite minerals in the provinces in the North are exploited and refined into refined ore to supply grinding stone plants, etc. and assigned to the Ministry of Industry and Trade in charge of considering the export according to the proposal of People's Committees of provinces and cities where the mines are located on the basis of domestic supply and demand balance.

- For products processed from rare earth ores: The sum of rare earths (oxides, hydroxides, salts) with TREO content ≥ 95% and separate rare earths oxides (REO) is for domestic demand and export consideration.

2. For non-metallic minerals: After mining, raw minerals go through one or more stages such as sorting, crushing, sieving, washing, refining, etc. into classified products, enriching to meet the standards required for use or as raw materials for deeper processing or as raw materials and additives for other domestic and export industries.

For minerals as mineral water and natural thermal water, exploit to produce bottled mineral water, serving domestic nursing, medical treatment and tourism establishments and geothermal source for electricity production (if any) and other fields.

3. Mineral export: The mining and processing of minerals mainly meet domestic demand. The export of a number of minerals/mineral products that have not been processed into metals or alloys after processing shall comply with the guidelines, policies and laws of each specific period and the direction of the competent authorities.

IV. INVESTMENT CAPITAL DEMAND

1. Total investment capital demand

Total estimated investment capital for projects of exploration, mining and processing of minerals in the master plan is shown in the table below:

Table 5: Summary of investment capital for projects of exploration, mining and processing of minerals

Details of capital for exploration, mining and processing of minerals are specified in the Appendix V to this Decision.

2. Investment funds

- Capital for exploration: From the self-arranged capital of the enterprises.

- Capital for mining and processing: Self-arranged capital of enterprises, domestic and foreign commercial loans, capital mobilized through the stock market, corporate bond issuance and other lawful capital sources.

D. ORIENTATION ON LAND USE ALLOCATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MINING INDUSTRY, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

I. ORIENTATION ON LAND USE ALLOCATION

The land demand for mineral mining development is about 190,000 ha in the 2021 - 2030 period and about 305,000 ha in the 2031 - 2050 period, basically in line with the land distribution targets in the Resolution No. 39/2021/QH15, to ensure the realization of economic development objectives.

II. ORIENTATION ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

1. For the investors

- Transportation: The investors of mineral mining and processing projects must base on the project needs to plan the construction of collection road system to connect with highways and national highways at certain locations. The connection location must be approved by the competent state management agencies before implementation.

- Electricity and water supply: The investors of mineral mining and processing projects must base on the needs of the project to register for use with state management agencies and must be approved before project implementation.

2. State management

- Synchronously invest in infrastructure of transport and general seaports to serve the development of mineral mining and processing suitable for each development stage.

- Continue to upgrade and invest in new roads and national electricity grids for the remote and isolated areas, the concentrated industrial parks to serve the development of mineral projects and regional socio-economic development.

III. ORIENTATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

With the goal of green growth, circular economy development and strong shift from brown to green strategy, the orientation on environmental protection must address the following issues:

1. Step up the application of advanced and green technologies, use economically and make full use of resources; recycling technology with effective use of waste ores, tailings and poor ores.

2. Collect and thoroughly treat all kinds of waste generated in production; recycle, reuse to the maximum for production and supply for the needs of other economic sectors, gradually forming a circular economy.

3. Prevent from, minimize and overcome environmental risks and incidents in mineral mining and processing projects.

4. Carry out environmental rehabilitation and restoration of mineral mines immediately after completion in the direction of integrating environmental restoration and regeneration combined with the development of green projects for the socio-economic development (high-tech agricultural zones, eco-tourism services, residential areas, etc.) and environmentally-friendly economic sectors.

5. Thoroughly overcome the dust generation in production, affecting the environment and population during the mineral mining and processing process. Improve the landscape and environment of the mineral production areas to ensure green - clean - beautiful space, contributing to the protection of the general environment.

6. Proactively adapt to climate change, ensure the safety of landfills, minimize soil and rock backflow, and prevent the risk of flooding; reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the impact of climate change.

IV. ORIENTATION ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Continue to effectively implement the second phase of the Scheme on technological innovation and modernization in the mining industry until 2025, approved by the Prime Minister in the Decision No. 259/QD-TTg dated February 22, 2017.

2. Step up the research, transfer, acquisition and application of advanced scientific and technical technologies, technology and equipment transformation of the stages of exploration, mining and processing of minerals, environmental protection for each group/type of mineral towards a green production model.

3. For bauxite minerals in the Central Highlands, titanium minerals, rare earth minerals, chromite minerals in Thanh Hoa, apatite minerals in Lao Cai, titanium minerals in Binh Thuan, nickel minerals in Son La, copper - gold minerals, other large-scale mineral mines/clusters such as Thach Khe iron mines, copper mine in Lao Cai province, etc., the establishment of a mining complex associated with processing, applying advanced technology and modern equipment is required.

DD. SOLUTIONS AND RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MASTER PLAN

I. SOLUTIONS ON LAW AND POLICY

1. Continue reviewing, amending, supplementing and improving the State's mechanisms, policies and laws on minerals to overcome shortcomings, limitations, and create favorable conditions for the enterprises to invest in mineral processing, mining projects, enhance the roles and responsibilities of state management levels from central-to-grassroots levels and enterprises.

2. Early complete the review and assessment of the Law on Minerals and issue the (amended) Law on Minerals.

3. Research and amend land policies and related laws in the direction that the area of mining land will be returned immediately after completing the post-mining return work or have other socio-economic development projects integrating environmental restoration in mineral mining projects according to the land use planning approved by the competent authority, in order to increase the efficiency of land use under the circular economy model suitable to the characteristics of each type of mineral.

4. Research, propose and improve the investment efficiency, including cooperation with the experienced foreign partners, the capital sources and the markets from exploration, mining and processing stages.

5. Complete and supplement the legal policies to create conditions for exploration and mining projects associated with mineral processing projects. Strictly control exploration and mining activities in compliance with legal policies on minerals and environment, ensuring labor safety.

6. For minerals such as bauxite, titanium, chromite, etc., the mining licenses are only granted when the enterprises invest in deep processing projects directly associated with the mines.

7. Mineral mining and processing: Encourage the accumulation of resources from small-scale mines/mine sites into large enough-scale mines/mine clusters for synchronous investment in mineral exploration, mining and processing, and application of modern technology.

8. Finance: Review and promptly adjust reasonable taxes, fees and charges, ensuring the harmony of interests between the State, enterprises and local people where the minerals are mined.

9. Science and technology: Prioritize scientific and technological capital in order to research and apply efficient processing technology of mineral resources.

10. Promulgate policies to support enterprises when implementing the policy of enterprise restructuring.

11. Promulgate reasonable policies for people whose residential and production land has been recovered.

12. Resource management:

- Improve the quality of investigation, exploration and assessment of reserve resources.

- Make full and public statistics on mining, processing and loss of natural resources and early build a database of mineral resources and share information for resource master plan and management.

- Prioritize mining license to meet the source of raw materials for mineral processing projects that have been invested.

13. State management:

- Strengthen the coordination between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and provincial-level People's Committees in granting licenses for mineral activities, providing information on mining and processing after licensing.

- For some large-scale and strategic minerals and mineral mines such as bauxite, titanium, rare earths, nickel, copper, gold, chromite, before granting mineral exploration and mining licenses, the mineral operation licensing agency is responsible for collecting opinions from state management agencies in charge of master plan, mining and processing on the conformity with the master plan and the supply and demand situation.

- For mineral processing projects, before licensing, the investment registration issuing agency shall consult with the mineral master plan management agency on the suitability of the master plan, the suitability of technology, equipment and post-processed products, the satisfaction of mineral raw materials for processing. The investors of deep processing projects are selected in accordance with the Law on Investment, the Law on Bidding and other relevant laws, and are licensed to exploit and explore mines according to the approved master plan or the Resolutions/Decisions of the Political Bureau, the National Assembly and the Prime Minister (if any).

- Publicly announce boundary coordinates of master plan projects. Strengthen the inspection, examination, mining and processing activities to protect mine boundaries and newly discovered mine sites and national mineral resource reserve areas in accordance with the Law on Minerals and the Law on Public Property Management.

- Restructure small-scale enterprises, with using limited resources, outdated technology, high resource loss and environmental pollution; mining not associated with the user to form enterprises of large enough scale, concentrated mining and processing with advanced technology, ensuring labor safety and environmental friendliness in forms of merger, joint venture, association, transfer of licenses for mineral activities.

II. SOLUTIONS ON FINANCE AND INVESTMENT

1. Finance: Review and promptly adjust reasonable taxes, fees and charges, ensuring the harmony of interests between the State, enterprises and local people where the minerals are mined.

2. Investment: Promote internal resources and encourage capable domestic enterprises to play a key role in the exploration, mining and processing of strategic minerals of a large scale. Diversify investment capital sources through capital contribution, shares, joint ventures and other credit sources.

III. SOLUTIONS ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT

1. Invest in technological innovation, use advanced equipment in mining, sorting and processing minerals in order to save resources, save energy, ensure labor safety and protect the environment.

2. Step up scientific research in mining, sorting, processing and use of minerals in order to maximize the recovery of minerals and associated minerals to provide raw materials for other industries and serve the fields of economy.

3. Prioritize scientific and technological capital in order to research and apply efficient processing technology of mineral resources.

4. For the exploration and mining of minerals, it is necessary to promote specific mineral exploration techniques in the direction of the best possible technology and technique in Vietnam, ensuring conformity with local realities, effectiveness in pollution prevention and control, and minimization of adverse impacts on the environment and ecosystems.

5. For the processing and use of minerals, it is necessary to focus on applying advanced science and technology in the process of operating in the direction of circular economy, green economy and low-carbon economy. Focus on developing scientific research, innovating environmentally friendly technologies in order to efficiently process mineral resources, save energy and reduce waste.

IV. SOLUTIONS ON PROPAGANDA, AWARENESS-RAISING

1. Promote propaganda and dissemination of guidelines, policies and laws on minerals, publicize the master plan of all kinds of minerals.

2. Raise awareness of the role and law on minerals; strengthen the community's supervision over mineral activities in the area; ensure publicity and transparency of revenues and use of revenues of the mineral enterprises.

3. The communication agencies shall coordinate with ministries, sectors and People's Committees of provinces with mineral activities, especially sensitive minerals such as bauxite, iron, etc. to provide timely information to ensure objectivity, honesty, and prevent incitement, manipulation and distortion of reactionary organizations to oppose the guidelines of the Party and the State of Vietnam.

V. SOLUTIONS ON TRAINING, CAPABILITY IMPROVEMENT

1. Focus on investing in renovation and modernization of training and research equipment for educational institutions, specialized research institutions, and key laboratories, improving the capacity and quality of scientific research with support from the socialization and state budget.

2. Strengthen cooperation between domestic universities, scientific research institutions, and laboratories with international training institutions and research institutions to train PhD students, graduate students, experts and skilled workers; provide high quality training, research and laboratory equipment.

3. Enhance the leading role of research institutes and universities in order to promote scientific and technological research, environmental protection, application in mineral exploration, mining and processing activities, training human resources to meet the requirements of applying advanced, environmentally-friendly science and technology.

VI. SOLUTIONS ON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

1. Promote scientific and technical cooperation, technology transfer in exploration, mining, processing and use, environmental protection, occupational safety and information technology application in management and administration of mineral resources, monitoring, forecasting, environmental management, automatic control to improve efficiency, reduce resource loss, improve labor productivity, product quality and ensure the environment protection.

2. Carry out the cooperation and investment in mineral mining and processing projects that require high technology and advanced and modern equipment, environment protection and product consumption market. Limit the cooperation, joint venture, association, sale of shares to the foreign investors for the mineral mining and sorting projects.

VII. SOLUTIONS ON CAPITAL MOBILIZATION

The investment capital for projects of exploration, mining and processing of minerals, in addition to a part of the state budget, is mainly secured by the enterprises with their own capital, commercial loans (mainly) on the financial market, capital mobilized from other sources such as the stock market, etc. specifically:

1. The State budget

- Invest capital for the schemes on investigation and assessment of potential mineral resources; exploration for some toxic and radioactive minerals.

- Prepare, adjust, develop and manage data on mineral master plan.

- Supply financial support for scientific research activities, application of mineral sorting and processing technologies in order to use synthetically, economically and effectively non-renewable mineral resources in accordance with the National Key Science and Technology Program for renewal and modernization of mineral mining and processing technologies approved by the Prime Minister.

2. Mobilize capital in the international market: For a number of special projects with large scale, modern technology, pilot investment in deep processing as a premise for synchronous development of production chain and sustainable development of large-scale natural resources, the Government will consider supporting enterprises through loan guarantees in accordance with the law.

3. Mobilize other capital sources: Mobilize capital from organizations, individuals, domestic and foreign enterprises in compliance with the provisions of law.

VIII. SOLUTIONS ON HUMAN RESOURCES

1. Develop a plan to recruit and train human resources in line with industry requirements and development progress of mineral mining and processing projects, especially skilled technical personnel in charge of operation of mineral mining and processing machine and equipment with advanced technology level, access to new technology.

2. Focus on recruiting and training local workers, especially in mountainous areas with difficult and extremely difficult socio-economic conditions.

3. Adopt policies to attract high-quality human resources, and give preferential remuneration to mining workers, especially underground mining workers.

4. Focus on caring for the material and spiritual life of workers.

5. Connect mines with domestic and international training institutions, adopt policies on recruitment and training to improve skills, bridge program training or send abroad for training for high-quality labor force, attached to the profession.

6. For cadres, civil servants and public employees in charge of management of minerals and metallurgy, it is necessary to recruit and arrange people with expertise and experience in practice; support and update knowledge of the laws on natural resources and environment and the related laws. In particular, it is necessary to strengthen the cadres, civil servants and public employees in the locality.

Article 2. Implementation organization

1. The Ministry of Industry and Trade

a) Take responsibility for the accuracy of data, documents, diagrams, maps and databases in the master plan dossier, ensuring consistency with the contents of this Decision.

b) Organize the announcement of the master plan according to regulations and the implementation of this Decision in association with the performance of socio-economic development tasks according to the provisions of law; formulate a plan for implementation of the planning based on the criteria and rationale specified in this Decision to implement the objectives and tasks set out in the master plan; organize the assessment of the implementation of the planning in accordance with the Law on Planning.

c) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, sectors and People's Committees of centrally-run cities and provinces in, publicizing the master plan, guiding the implementation, review, assessment, inspection and examination, supervision of the implementation of the master plan, proposing to supplement and adjust the required contents of the Master Plan in accordance with the Law on Planning and the Law on Minerals, in the implementation of investment procedures for projects on mining and processing of minerals in compliance with the Master Plan.

d) Periodically review and evaluate the results of the implementation of the Master Plan; update information and propose the addition and adjustment of the Master Plan when necessary.

dd) Research, develop and submit to competent authorities for promulgation or promulgate regulations on conditions of mines permitted to exploit after the basic construction is completed; strictly manage the business, circulation of minerals, standards and regulations on the processing level for each group/type of mineral under its competence in accordance with practice; research and develop schemes on basic materials for industry.

e) Organize the development, regular updating, archiving, long-term preservation and public sharing of the database in the national database and information system on this Master Plan.

2. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

a) Promote basic investigation of minerals in promising areas such as: the Northwest, the Northeast, the North Central and the Central Highlands and the coastal areas, especially minerals distributed in the deep part. Delineate and add areas of minerals not yet mobilized in the master plan to the list of national mineral reserve areas for socio-economic development of localities, and submit them to the Prime Minister for approval.

b) Coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant provincial-level People's Committees in granting licenses for mineral activities according to the mineral master plan, ensuring that the mineral mining projects use advanced technology, ensure labor safety, environmental protection and must be associated with deep processing projects.

c) Closely coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment in the management of mineral activities; sharing of information, database on resources and mineral activities of enterprises and projects after licensing.

d) Research and amend the policies and the laws on land to increase socio-economic efficiency of mining projects such as: land clearance policy, land use policy after mineral mining.

dd) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with local authorities in, examining and inspecting the observance of regulations on environmental protection for projects on mineral mining and processing, apply strict specified sanctions to projects that do not comply with the provisions of the law on environmental protection.

e) Assume the prime responsibility for developing, updating and sharing the database system on mineral reserves and resources and mineral activities of enterprises and projects after licensing.

3. The Ministry of Science and Technology

a) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in, managing technology transfer and manufacturing of equipment for mineral mining and processing; application of advanced technology, mechanization, automatic control and synchronization of equipment, improvement of productivity and quality of mining and processing of minerals.

b) Focus on investing in research on scientific basis to improve and promulgate a system of national technical regulations and standards, technical regulations, improve the efficiency of management, exploration, mining, processing and use of minerals.

c) Consolidate, develop and improve the scientific and technological potential of organizations in the field, meeting the needs of research, basic investigation, geological exploration of minerals, environmental geology, build a network of science and technology organizations in the field capable of international integration, closely associated with education - training, production - business. Improve the quality and efficiency of science and technology activities, promote international cooperation, acquire and apply new and modern scientific and technical advances and technologies in the world.

4. The Ministry of Finance

a) Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in, researching and proposing policies on taxes and fees suitable to the specific characteristics of the mineral mining, processing and use industries; strengthen the management of financial revenues, ensure correct and sufficient revenue for mineral activities in general and for minerals according to the Master Plan in particular.

b) Allocate the capital sources for research topics and schemes in service of the mining, processing and use of minerals.

5. The Ministry of Construction

a) Assume the prime responsibility for researching and elaborating schemes on production of construction materials and unburnt materials from waste and sludge collected during and after mineral processing, promoting the economical and efficient use of minerals. and environmental protection.

b) Research, develop, promulgate according to its competence or submit to competent authorities for promulgating standards and regulations for raw materials of waste and sludge collected during and after the process of mineral mining and processing as raw materials for the production of construction materials.

6. The concerned ministries and sectors: Coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to effectively implement the Master Plan.

7. People's Committees of centrally-run cities and provinces having mineral activities

a) Closely coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in organizing the implementation and management of the Master Plan on minerals.

b) Cooperate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in reviewing and assessing the investment status of projects and enterprises exploiting and processing minerals in the locality; attracting investment in order to promote investment in mineral processing projects on schedule and effectively.

c) Strengthen inspection and supervision of mineral activities in the locality; prevent illegal mining and export of minerals. Handle or propose competent authorities to thoroughly handle mineral mining and processing establishments that fail to meet technical safety requirements, causing environmental pollution.

d) Promote propaganda and dissemination of guidelines, policies and laws on minerals when implementing the Master Plan in the locality; mobilize small-scale enterprises to implement the enterprise restructuring policy.

dd) Under the nature and scale of the mine, allow localities to adjust their own land use needs according to their local use master plan for the auxiliary work items of mines to serve as a basis for implementation.

e) Based on the local socio-economic development strategic objectives, People's Committees of centrally-run cities and provinces are allowed to implement technical infrastructure projects for the national and public interest according to Article 62 of the Land Law on the area with minerals approved in this Decision on the principle of recovery and protection of mineral resources, and in compliance with the provisions of the Law on Minerals, the Law on Planning and other relevant laws.

g) Coordinate in master plan management according to the following principles:

- Develop regulations on coordination in the management of master plan of all kinds of minerals between ministries - ministries, ministries - localities, localities - neighboring localities.

- Localities with similar geographical and socio-economic conditions need to apply the same policies on minerals (especially investment and business projects in the area of 2 localities or more).

- The planning management agencies, the licensing agencies, the tax authorities shall closely coordinate in the management of exploration, mining and processing projects before, during and after licensing.

- Not obstruct the efficient transport of minerals from the mining site to the concentrated processing site (it is possible to transport minerals from the mining locality to another locality for processing). Adopt the policy to ensure benefit sharing for resource-rich localities.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect from the date of signing, replaces the decisions on approving the master plan and documents, decisions on supplementing and adjusting master plan issued by the competent authorities before the date of this Decision.

The projects that are being implemented and submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for licensing before the effective date of this Decision will continue to be implemented according to the master plan.

Article 4. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of Governmental agencies, Chairpersons of People’s Committees of centrally-run cities and provinces, relevant agencies shall take responsibilities for implementation of this Decision.

* All Appendices are not translated herein.