An Giang proposes solutions to overcome difficulties in implementing the Law on Geology and Minerals.

On the morning of July 25th, the People's Committee of An Giang province held an online meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to discuss the draft Government Resolution on the issuance of specific mechanisms and policies to address difficulties in implementing the Law on Geology and Minerals. Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of An Giang province, Giang Thanh Khoa, chaired the meeting at the An Giang provincial location.

Báo An Giang•25/07/2025

Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of An Giang province, Giang Thanh Khoa, presided over the meeting at the An Giang province's location.

The Law on Geology and Minerals of 2024, effective from July 1, 2025, has fundamentally addressed the limitations and shortcomings of the 2010 Law on Minerals. However, in recent times, the Mekong Delta region in general, and An Giang province in particular, have simultaneously implemented numerous important national projects, APEC 2027 projects, and provincial public investment projects, leading to a shortage of construction materials.

The procedures for licensing the exploitation of mineral resources for construction materials are still lengthy; while the Law on Geology and Minerals only stipulates the application of a "special mechanism" for licensing the exploitation of Group IV minerals; whereas Group III minerals (riverbed sand, lake sand, sea sand; construction stone) are the main raw materials for projects and constructions but there is no "special mechanism" for licensing their exploitation, leading to a shortage of materials.

At the online meeting, contributing to the draft Resolution of the Government on the issuance of specific mechanisms and policies to overcome difficulties in the implementation of the Law on Geology and Minerals, Comrade Giang Thanh Khoa proposed: In Clause 7, Article 1 of the draft Resolution, “For exploration and exploitation licenses for common construction materials issued before July 1, 2025, under the licensing authority of the Provincial People's Committee, but not in accordance with the provisions of the law, the exploration and exploitation of minerals shall continue to be carried out according to the issued license and shall only supply the works, projects, and tasks specified in Clause 2 of this Article.”

Furthermore, Comrade Giang Thanh Khoa proposed that the Government consider adding the following content to the draft Resolution: For mineral exploitation licenses that have been issued but not yet exploited, or for auctioned areas that have not yet been granted exploitation licenses in accordance with the law but are hampered by procedures for changing the purpose of forest land use, the subsequent procedures should be continued. The exploited minerals should only be supplied to the works, projects, and tasks specified in Clause 2, Article 1, and the licensed entity must carry out the procedures for changing the purpose of forest land use as prescribed.

Allowing the granting of mining licenses for common construction materials in areas where mining licenses have expired or been revoked, but still contain reserves, to be granted licenses in accordance with Clause 2, Article 1, without having to carry out the mine closure procedure (the environmental remediation deposit will be transferred to the subsequent licensed entity to carry out mine closure at the end of the project).

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