Contribute to unlocking geological and mineral potential

Mr. Nguyen Minh Thu - Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture and Environment

New management thinking with the principle of "Investigate first - exploit later"

- The Law on Geology and Minerals 2024 officially coming into effect has marked an important step forward in the investigation, management and sustainable use of mineral resources. What are the new management thinking and points of the Law, sir?

- The journey of Vietnam's mineral law started with the Ordinance on Mineral Resources in 1989, through generations of Mineral Laws in 1996, 2005, 2010, gradually bringing mining activities into the framework. However, after 14 years of implementation, the 2010 Mineral Law revealed many limitations: Some regulations are no longer suitable, the approach has not kept up with world trends, especially in the management of strategic and rare minerals. The 2024 Law on Geology and Minerals was issued to overcome those limitations; at the same time, build a synchronous, modern, unified legal corridor; improve the effectiveness of state management, in line with the new development context of the country.

The important innovation of the 2024 Law on Geology and Minerals is to shift from the mindset of "licensing" to "planning - monitoring the life cycle of resources", focusing on the principle of "investigation first - exploitation later".

This is a scientific management method, helping to exploit the optimal value of resources, instead of just short-term exploitation. This principle is especially important for the unique minerals of Khanh Hoa province; instead of massive exploitation, pre-investigation will help determine the optimal value of resources, creating the basis for the development of deep processing industries, adding value instead of just raw exploitation; contributing to promoting the development of other economic sectors. For example, with the province's rich mineral water and mineral mud resources, a thorough investigation will help orient the development of tourism, therapy, and beauty services in a more sustainable and effective way, enhancing and improving the tourism environment.

Mineral mine in Hoa Thang ward.

Another highlight of the 2024 Law on Geology and Minerals and its implementing documents is the detailed regulations on mine closure and the mechanism for transferring environmental remediation deposits. This is the State’s commitment to the goal of sustainable development. We will no longer have abandoned mines after exploitation; instead, the land will be restored, which can be reused for agriculture, afforestation or infrastructure development, returning green to the homeland.

Give more authority to localities in licensing and exploration

- The implementation of the law has special significance in the context of the whole country implementing the two-tier local model. With the potential advantages of Khanh Hoa province in terms of geology and minerals, how will the implementation of the 2024 Law on Geology and Minerals open up a new development stage in the field of geology and minerals in the current context, sir?

- Khanh Hoa is located in the South Central Coast region, with a coastline of nearly 500km, along with beautiful bays such as Van Phong, Nha Trang, Cam Ranh and Vinh Hy, an inland area rich in resources with famous titanium mineral deposits, granite, white sand, clay, mineral water, mineral mud and the potential for wind power and solar power development on a unique geological foundation. These values are not only economic resources, but also valuable "natural assets" that today's generation has the responsibility to manage and exploit reasonably to pass on to future generations. We have witnessed many localities losing long-term benefits due to hot exploitation, lack of planning, leaving abandoned deep pits and messy landfills. These are lessons reminding us that resource management requires a strategic vision.

Mineral exploitation activities in Khanh Hoa province.

The 2024 Law on Geology and Minerals grants additional authority to the Provincial People's Committee in granting exploration and exploitation licenses for Group II, III, and IV minerals. This is a strategic decentralization step from the Central Government, helping localities to be more proactive, quickly handle hot issues, and reduce waiting time for procedures. For Group IV minerals such as landfill soil - which is in high demand due to rapid urbanization, the new law has shortened the procedure from "licensing" to "mining registration". This helps to quickly increase legal supply, reduce pressure on unlicensed mines, and limit illegal exploitation that causes unsafety and budget losses.

The 2024 Law on Geology and Minerals is also a strategic tool for Khanh Hoa province to shape the future of the mineral industry. The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Khanh Hoa province is committed to implementing the law proactively, flexibly, and resolutely, in line with local realities. However, to be successful, the Department of Agriculture and Environment needs the joint efforts of all levels, sectors, local authorities, businesses and people.

Implementing the direction of superiors, in order to effectively implement the Law on Geology and Minerals 2024, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has requested departments, branches, sectors and localities to continue to conduct further research and develop specific and synchronous action plans. When everyone joins in, the new law will become a guideline for all activities of exploitation, management and protection of resources. On August 15, the Department of Agriculture and Environment coordinated with the Department of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) to organize a conference to disseminate and train on the Law on Geology and Minerals 2024, along with legal documents guiding its implementation for more than 200 delegates from departments, branches, sectors, People's Committees of communes, wards, organizations and enterprises operating in the field of geology and minerals in the province. The delegates were informed of the contents of the Law on Geology and Minerals; and had their related questions answered. Thereby, contributing to bringing the law into life.

With responsibility to the People and a vision for sustainable development, we can fully believe that the Law on Geology and Minerals 2024 will open a new phase: Rational exploitation of resources, environmental protection, promoting socio-economic growth, contributing to the successful implementation of the goal of making Khanh Hoa a centrally-governed city by 2030.

Thank you!

THAI THINH (performed)