Promoting and protecting the value of rare earth resources

(PLVN) - According to information recently officially announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, it is estimated that Vietnam has the 2nd or 3rd largest rare earth reserves in the world, distributed in 21 provinces and cities.

In the industrial age, rare earth is an extremely important source of raw materials in many manufacturing industries, and is a resource and strength of the countries that own it. Therefore, when the draft Law on amending and supplementing the Law on Geology and Minerals was brought up for discussion, it received many opinions from National Assembly deputies.

A National Assembly delegate assessed that, in the context of increasingly fierce strategic competition, managing and mastering rare earth technology is a key factor to affirm and promote self-reliance. Rare earth is the core technology foundation of many types of weapons, especially high-precision weapons, so it is necessary to approach it from the perspective of national security and defense (NDS) right from the law. The draft has stipulated the area for storing rare earths, but delegates suggested that there must be a mine or reserve area dedicated to the purpose of NDS. Along with that, the law needs to supplement regulations on controlling rare earth technology and data, especially data related to NDS, because rare earth data may be classified as State secrets. It is also necessary to clarify the role of the Ministry of National Defense in program appraisal and mine exploitation appraisal; and national programs on rare earths must have the opinion of the Ministry of National Defense.

Commenting on another aspect, a National Assembly member emphasized that rare earth is a strategic resource for many key industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, and national defense and security, so the law must be uniformly managed at the national level and environmental safety must be given top priority. Because the process of separating and processing rare earth always generates toxic waste, heavy metals, and acid solutions that are difficult to treat. There are countries that have exploited massively but without control, leaving behind areas of residual pollution, with environmental restoration costs many times greater than the economic value gained. Right in Vietnam, a case of illegal rare earth mining that occurred has also proven the above reality.

Therefore, it is necessary to apply closed separation technology, continuous environmental monitoring, and standard sludge treatment plans. The authorities need to independently monitor the entire process, from technology assessment, risks to site inspection, and waste treatment. To protect the environment, it is possible to invite a third party to independently assess environmental risks; require enterprises to deposit higher deposits than normal mineral mines; periodically publish environmental data to ensure transparency and sustainable development...

Another thing to note is that rare earth mining requires high technology and thorough environmental assessment. Therefore, there needs to be a mechanism to attract investors with real capacity and modern technology, prioritizing deep processing lines; rather than easily accepting raw mining.

In the context that Vietnam does not have a factory to process rare earth ore into products that meet export standards; enterprises have not yet mastered the technology to create products with required content, as well as the technology to separate individual elements; the above suggestions of the National Assembly deputies are very reasonable and accurate. We have natural resources, we must manage them closely, along with a long-term technology investment strategy; develop a sustainable rare earth industry, form a closed value chain, and minimize raw exports; so that rare earth can promote its role as the most important resource in the digital age.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/phat-huy-bao-ve-gia-tri-nguon-tai-nguyen-dat-hiem.html