Law on Geology and Minerals: Removing difficulties for people in leveling land

During the construction process, many households and small project investors often have to level and lower the ground, leading to excess soil and rock. The handling of this amount of soil is facing major obstacles when it is considered a "mineral" and people have to apply for a mining license with lengthy procedures and additional costs. From July 1, 2025, the Law on Geology and Minerals 2024 takes effect, this obstacle has been resolved, creating convenience for people.

The excess soil volume of about 1,500m3 during the land leveling process of Mr. Nguyen Duc Canh's family, in Ben Do residential group, was closely monitored by Linh Son Ward People's Committee.

At Ben Do residential group, Linh Son ward, Mr. Nguyen Duc Canh is the first person in the ward to be granted a certificate of registration for mineral recovery according to the new regulations. Mr. Nguyen Duc Canh's family owns a total area of ​​nearly 10,000m2, of which 280m2 need to be leveled, generating about 1,500m3 of excess land.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Canh shared: The family's land is located close to Dong Luc Street, with great potential for commercial and service development. For many years, the family has also intended to lower the height to use the land more effectively, but could not do so due to problems with regulations on transporting excess soil to other places. As soon as the Law on Geology and Minerals took effect, the local government guided the family to transport the soil according to regulations.

According to the 2010 Mineral Law, land for filling is classified as a mineral used as a common construction material. When there is a need to dig and level, and surplus land is created, it is necessary to apply for a mineral exploitation license. To be granted a license, people must go through a series of steps such as exploration, reserve assessment, mining project preparation, environmental impact assessment report, etc. With the amount of land created not being large, this regulation makes people confused, even unable to implement when building houses.

The 2024 Law on Geology and Minerals, which will take effect from July 1, 2025, has made specific adjustments that directly remove obstacles for people. Article 75 of the new law allows users of residential and agricultural land to reclaim minerals of groups III and IV (sand, gravel, and landfill) arising from renovation and construction without having to apply for an exploitation license as before. People only need to register for reclamation if they bring soil and rock to serve other projects. The authority to issue certificates has been transferred to the People's Committee at the commune level, instead of the provincial level as before.

Mr. Nguyen Kim Quyet, Vice Chairman of Van Han Commune People's Committee, said: After the recent storms and floods, in the commune, there are nearly 40 households in need of leveling the ground due to landslides with a total volume of about 8,000m2. Therefore, positive changes from the Law on Geology and Minerals will help people and local authorities solve the difficult problem of leveling and transporting this amount of landslides.

The adjustments in the Law on Geology and Minerals 2024 have promptly resolved many years of difficulties related to people's land leveling.

Streamlining procedures, decentralizing to localities and facilitating mineral recovery registration helps people feel secure in renovating land, building houses, overcoming landslide consequences, while ensuring strict management of mineral resources. This is an important change, contributing to promoting infrastructure and socio- economic development in localities.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202511/luat-dia-chat-va-khoang-san-go-kho-cho-nguoi-dan-trong-san-ha-mat-bang-f2c1a8d/