A special management mechanism is needed for rare earth elements.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, rare earth elements require special management throughout the entire cycle of exploration, extraction, and processing.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha delivered a speech at the Standing Committee of the National Assembly's meeting on the afternoon of October 14.

Speaking at the National Assembly Standing Committee meeting on the afternoon of October 14th regarding the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Geology and Minerals, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha affirmed that it is impossible to entrust the management of rare earth minerals to local authorities.

According to the government 's submission on the draft law, the demand for rare earth elements is expected to increase sharply in the next decade due to the rapid development of high-tech industries, renewable energy, and electric vehicles.

The 2024 Law on Geology and Minerals includes regulations on the management of strategic and important minerals (including rare earth elements), requiring that mineral exploitation be based on socio-economic efficiency and environmental protection as fundamental criteria for investment decisions; encouraging organizations and individuals with capital, technology, and equipment to participate in mineral exploitation; and regulating revenue from minerals to ensure a balance of interests between the State, the people, and businesses.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan chaired the discussion.

However, rare earth elements are now a special type of commodity, having a significant impact on defense, security, and diplomacy worldwide, leading to the need for strict management mechanisms for activities related to this type of mineral.

The addition of specific regulations on the management, processing, and utilization of rare earth elements is one of the important solutions contributing to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of state management, creating momentum to promote the development of the rare earth mining, processing, and utilization industry in a synchronized, efficient, and sustainable manner; and at the same time bringing practical benefits to the country in the context of the current global shortage of rare earth supplies.

According to the draft regulations, the exploration, exploitation, and processing of rare earth minerals must be strictly controlled; the export of raw rare earth minerals is prohibited; only enterprises and organizations designated or authorized by the State are entitled to explore, exploit, process, and utilize rare earth minerals. Rare earth processing activities must be linked to the development of a modern industrial ecosystem to enhance the domestic value chain and ensure self-reliance in implementing the national rare earth strategy.

Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang reported at the meeting.

After review, the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment basically agreed with the addition of regulations on strict management mechanisms for activities related to rare earth minerals, but requested clarification on whether the priority period for submitting applications for rare earth mining licenses differs from that of Group I minerals; and whether there is a limit on the number of rare earth licenses granted to an organization or individual, especially foreign organizations or individuals.

Contributing to the refinement of the draft law, the Chair of the Committee on Representative Affairs, Nguyen Thanh Hai, emphasized that rare earth elements are a competitive advantage in the development of science and technology, and therefore, careful attention should be paid to the exploitation of this resource. "Some countries consider mineral resources as 'reserves' for future generations, and they severely restrict exploitation, resulting in very strict legal barriers," Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hai stated.

Regarding the management of rare earth minerals, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that this type of mineral must certainly be managed with a very special mechanism, meaning there must be a strategy throughout the entire cycle, from exploration, investigation, exploitation, and processing...

This mechanism will be linked to national defense and security issues, as well as certain export and import policies. Upon completion of the project, it cannot be transferred to third parties without Vietnam's consent. "I propose that this type of mineral resource should not be decentralized for local management," Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stated.

The draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Geology and Minerals adds a chapter (Chapter VIIa) consisting of 4 articles on the management of rare earth minerals. This chapter includes additional sanctions and strict management mechanisms for activities related to this type of mineral, as directed by the Party and State leadership.

ANH PHUONG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/can-co-che-quan-ly-dac-biet-doi-voi-dat-hiem-post818015.html