Lam Dong tightens supervision of mineral exploitation

To strengthen management and protection of mineral resources, Lam Dong province continues to improve policies and mechanisms to facilitate investment in mineral processing projects on schedule and effectively.

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, Lam Dong province has great potential for bauxite and titanium reserves. According to the planning for exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals in the period of 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 approved by the Prime Minister , the total potential for bauxite reserves and resources in Lam Dong province is about 7 billion tons of raw ore (accounting for 73% of the total reserves and resources of the whole country), of which the bauxite reserves mobilized for exploitation are 3.45 billion tons of raw ore. For titanium, the reserves and mineral resources of titanium ore are about 566 million tons (accounting for 92.6% of the total reserves and resources of titanium ore in the whole country). Of which, there are 17 exploration and exploitation areas, with a total area of 15,986 hectares, reserves and resources of 124.3 million tons.

Regarding bauxite minerals, in addition to the two bauxite projects Nhan Co and Tan Rai currently operating with a capacity of 650,000 tons of alumina/year/complex; the Dak Nong Aluminum Electrolysis Plant project of Tran Hong Quan Metallurgical Company Limited is being invested in construction with a designed capacity of 450,000 tons of aluminum/year (expected to go into production in phase I, with a capacity of 150,000 tons of aluminum/year in 2026).

For titanium minerals, up to now, 6 areas have been granted mineral exploitation licenses with an area of 2,208 hectares and 10 areas have been granted exploration licenses, with an area of 10,277.9 hectares.

With the above potential and advantages, Lam Dong province identifies the development of the mineral exploitation industry as an industry of utmost importance in socio-economic development, promoting economic restructuring and boosting local industrial development.

Based on the practical situation of the locality, the province focuses on leading and directing the timely removal of obstacles and difficulties related to projects to soon put projects under investment and construction into production. At the same time, it promotes calling for and attracting investment and supporting investors to speed up the implementation of projects according to approved plans on the basis of full compliance with and compliance with legal regulations.

However, currently, the mineral planning of Lam Dong province still has some difficulties and problems, especially the overlap with the local socio-economic development planning, and the licensing of exploitation still has many complicated procedures.

Illegal sand and stone mining activities are increasingly sophisticated, often taking place in remote areas with guards, making it difficult for authorities, who are limited in human resources and means, to inspect and handle the cases.

To overcome shortcomings and improve management efficiency, the Provincial People's Committee has focused on directing units to implement solutions to rectify and strictly manage the mineral exploitation situation in the area.

Accordingly, relevant authorities and agencies need to strengthen the review and improvement of the system of legal documents and simplify administrative procedures related to minerals. At the same time, step up inspection and examination, focusing on facilities with high risk of causing pollution at licensed mineral mines. Strictly handle violations of environmental laws due to mineral exploitation.

Continue to recommend competent authorities to remove difficulties and obstacles in overlapping mineral planning and socio-economic development planning. As well as reviewing and delimiting mineral exploitation sites, organizing auctions of mineral exploitation rights for qualified mine sites.