National Assembly deputies worry about loosening exploration conditions, posing a potential risk of widespread mineral exploitation

On the morning of November 6, National Assembly deputies (NADs) discussed in groups three draft laws, including the Draft Law on amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Geology and Minerals. Many opinions were concerned about the issue of rare earths.

The delegation of the National Assembly of Ho Chi Minh City discussed in groups on the morning of November 6. Photo: QUANG PHUC

Deputies agreed to continue amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law to strengthen strict control of strategic minerals (rare earth); create conditions for mineral exploitation to serve key national projects and works; increase flexibility in extending and adjusting licenses and reducing administrative procedures in exploiting minerals of groups III and IV; and at the same time remove administrative barriers related to socio -economic development projects related to mineral geological activities.

Delegate Nguyen Huu Thong ( Lam Dong ) asked: There is no shortage of minerals in our country, so why are the prices of construction materials so high? The delegate said that it was due to many factors: planning implementation, many administrative procedures that people have to access, high compliance costs... "For example, if I have a piece of land with a mineral mine, and need to auction it to a mining enterprise, there are countless procedures, it takes a lot of time, and it is very difficult to put it into exploitation", Delegate Nguyen Huu Thong said.

Deputy Nguyen Huu Thong also said that there are still many administrative procedures and difficulties for localities in exploiting and implementing mineral projects. Along with that, people who want to apply for permits to build houses and change land use purposes in this area are also facing difficulties. Therefore, he hopes that the law amendment must be able to resolve these problems.

Delegate Nguyen Huu Thong (Lam Dong). Photo: PHAN THAO

Deputy Nguyen Thi Yen (HCMC) highly agreed with the direction of decentralization to the chairperson of the provincial People's Committee, but requested that there be accompanying sanctions. "The law needs to overcome current shortcomings such as: mineral exploitation not included in the planning, exploitation beyond the scope (width, depth), and not restoring the environment," Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen commented.

In particular, the delegate expressed disagreement with the regulation allowing the exploitation of certain types of minerals that do not need to be included in the planning. In addition, the Government or the provincial People's Committee must still have the right to propose the supply of construction materials for emergency projects, even if the mine has been handed over to the private sector.

Delegate Nguyen Thi Yen (HCMC). Photo: QUANG PHUC

Deputy Nguyen Phi Thuong (Hanoi) said that the draft law has assigned the provincial level the authority to license, explore, exploit minerals of groups 2, 3, 4 and issue certificates of registration for mineral recovery. However, according to the Deputy, the management of minerals at the local level has many limitations, such as a thin inspection force, lack of technical equipment, slow delineation of mineral areas, some localities have not completed the creation of mineral geological maps... Therefore, the Deputy proposed to supplement regulations on the responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the provincial People's Committee in managing and supervising competent agencies in mineral exploitation activities.

Deputy Nguyen Phi Thuong. Photo: DO TRUNG

Pointing out the difficulties in implementing mineral exploitation licenses for public works and key projects, Deputy Nguyen Phi Thuong said that in reality, when implementing, common construction materials are in short supply, prices are high, affecting project implementation. Therefore, "relaxing the conditions for exploration" of mineral exploitation to implement public investment projects, PPP projects, key projects, and emergency projects is considered a step forward in reforming procedures to shorten the licensing time, create conditions for providing construction materials on site, and save transportation costs... However, Deputy Nguyen Phi Thuong also warned that loosening the conditions for exploration will potentially pose a risk of rampant exploitation, affecting environmental safety and landscape. The Deputy proposed to supplement regulations on environmental restoration after exploitation.

The draft law regulating the management of rare earths as special strategic resources, prioritizing deep processing and strictly controlling exploration, exploitation, processing and use activities is considered by the deputies to be very necessary and consistent with the current policy of the Party.

According to Deputy Trinh Thi Tu Anh (Lam Dong), rare earths are considered "technological gold" or "new oil" because they are indispensable components in most high technologies and modern strategies. The State must strictly manage rare earths to protect national security and ensure long-term economic benefits, industrialization and modernization of the country.

Deputy Trinh Thi Tu Anh suggested that the draft should clearly state that the State encourages international cooperation in research, development, exploitation, selection, separation, and deep processing of rare earths to serve the development of the domestic rare earth industry; and support the training of high-quality human resources. Along with that, international cooperation in deep processing technology of rare earths should be strengthened and international cooperation in the transfer of rare earth processing technology should be clearly regulated.

According to Delegate Trinh Thi Tu Anh (Lam Dong). Photo: PHAN THAO

Delegate Trinh Thi Tu Anh also said that it is necessary to clearly stipulate the State's policy on rare earth reserves, regulating the export and import of rare earths in each period in accordance with the goal of sustainable socio-economic development as well as ensuring resource security.

In particular, Deputy Trinh Thi Tu Anh also said that it is necessary to supplement regulations on the Reserve Fund or compensation and support mechanism for people affected by environmental incidents caused by emergency mining activities, ensuring life and production to protect people's rights and ensure social security.

LAM NGUYEN-ANH THU

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dbqh-lo-noi-long-dieu-kien-tham-do-tiem-an-nguy-co-khai-thac-khoang-san-tran-lan-post822018.html