Full text of the Decision Approving the Planning for exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals

Approval of the Planning for exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals This day in history July 25: Approval of the Planning for exploration, exploitation and processing of gold and copper ores... until 2025 Establishment of the Council for appraisal of the Planning for exploration, exploitation and processing of minerals

Cong Thuong Newspaper respectfully introduces the full text of Decision No. 866/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the Planning for exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals in the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Decision No. 866/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the Planning for exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050

DECISION

APPROVING THE PLAN FOR EXPLORATION, EXPLOITATION, PROCESSING AND USE OF MINERALS FOR THE PERIOD 2021 - 2030, WITH A VISION TO 2050

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated June 19, 2015; Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Government dated November 22, 2019;

Pursuant to the Law on Minerals dated November 17, 2010;

Pursuant to the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of 37 Laws related to planning dated November 20, 2018;

Pursuant to the Law on Planning dated November 21, 2017;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW dated February 10, 2022 of the Politburo on strategic orientations for geology, minerals and mining industry to 2030, with a vision to 2045;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 81/2023/QH15 dated January 9, 2023 of the 15th National Assembly on the National Master Plan for the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision to 2050;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 88/NQ-CP dated July 22, 2022 of the Government on promulgating the Government's Action Program to implement Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW dated February 10, 2022 of the Politburo on strategic orientations for geology, minerals and mining industry to 2030, with a vision to 2045;

Pursuant to Decision No. 334/QD-TTg dated April 1, 2023 of the Prime Minister approving the Strategy on geology, minerals and mining industry to 2030, with a vision to 2045;

Pursuant to Decision No. 295/QD-TTg dated February 25, 2020 of the Prime Minister approving the Task of developing a Plan for exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050;

At the request of the Minister of Industry and Trade in Submission No. 3065/TTr-BCT dated May 19, 2023; Appraisal Report No. 26/BC-HDTĐQHKS dated April 21, 2023 of the Appraisal Council for the Planning of exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050.

DECISION:

Article 1. Approving the Planning for exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, with the following main contents:

A. PLANNING SCOPE AND BOUNDARIES

Scope and boundaries of planning: Planning for exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals, except for petroleum minerals, coal, peat, radioactive ores (uranium, thorium, ...), minerals for construction materials and small-scale scattered minerals according to the provisions of the law on minerals. The planning boundary is the area of ​​mineral distribution and mineral processing on the mainland area of ​​the whole country.

B. DEVELOPMENT VIEWPOINTS AND GOALS

I. VIEWPOINT

1. The exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals must comply with the national master plan and be compatible with national, sectoral, regional and local plans and in harmony with the requirements of protecting natural landscapes, historical and cultural relics, scenic spots and people's lives.

2. Minerals are limited resources; the exploitation, processing and use of minerals must be carried out on the basis of exploration and comprehensive assessment of factors regarding reserves, resources and quality of minerals, exploitation and processing capacity and usage needs, ensuring savings, efficiency and requirements for national mineral reserves.

3. Strictly, publicly and transparently manage minerals; encourage economic sectors with experience and capacity in mineral processing and exploitation to invest in exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals on the basis of respecting market principles, ensuring harmony of interests of the State, people and enterprises; reasonably and effectively balance mineral export and import, prioritizing meeting domestic demand.

4. Developing the exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals associated with the application of advanced and modern science and technology in conjunction with the process of transforming the country's economy towards a green economy, circular economy, low-carbon economy and in accordance with international commitments to which Vietnam is a party.

5. For minerals with large, strategic, and important reserves (bauxite, titanium, rare earth, chromite, nickel, gold), licensed mining enterprises must have sufficient capacity and must invest in appropriate processing projects using advanced technology, modern equipment, and sustainable environmental protection.

6. Limit and gradually stop the exploitation of low-reserve, scattered, small-scale mines, concentrate mineral resources from small-scale mines/mining points into mine clusters large enough to invest synchronously in exploration, exploitation, and processing, applying advanced technology and modern equipment.

II. DEVELOPMENT GOALS

1. General objectives

a) Mineral resources are strictly managed, exploited, processed, and used economically and effectively, in line with the development needs of the economy, environmental protection, adaptation to climate change, and the goal of achieving carbon neutrality. Promote investment, form a synchronous and effective mining and processing industry with advanced technology and modern equipment in line with world trends.

b) For minerals with large, strategic, and important reserves (bauxite, titanium, rare earth, chromite, nickel, copper, gold), licensed mining enterprises must have sufficient capacity and must invest in appropriate processing projects using advanced technology, modern equipment, and sustainable environmental protection.

c) Limit and gradually stop the exploitation of low-reserve, scattered, small-scale mines, concentrate mineral resources from small-scale mines/mining points into mine clusters large enough to invest synchronously in exploration, exploitation, and processing, applying advanced technology and modern equipment.

2. Targets for some types of minerals with large, strategic, and important reserves in the period 2021 - 2030

a) Bauxite minerals: Exploration and exploitation must be associated with deep processing (at least to alumina products); investors selected to carry out exploration and exploitation projects must have sufficient capacity to synchronously implement projects from exploration to deep processing, using advanced technology, modern equipment, protecting the environment, especially paying attention to sustainable and effective red mud disposal and treatment plans. Encourage businesses to research and apply new technologies to recycle red mud. New aluminum production projects using electrolysis technology must implement electricity prices according to market mechanisms, in which the use of renewable energy is encouraged.

b) Titanium minerals: Develop the titanium mining and processing industry with a reasonable roadmap and scale suitable for each stage, gradually forming mining - selection technology complexes, titanium mineral processing industrial clusters synchronized with infrastructure. Coastal titanium projects have solutions to ensure water balance for production and people's needs, agricultural development, and aquaculture. Focus on promoting research cooperation, technology transfer, investment in mining and processing of titanium synchronized with deep processing products (pigment, titanium dioxide, titanium metal, high-grade zircon, monazite...).

c) Rare earth minerals: Develop the industry of mining, processing and using rare earth minerals in a synchronous, effective and sustainable manner. For newly licensed enterprises to exploit rare earth minerals, they must be associated with a processing project to produce at least the total of rare earth oxides, hydroxides, and salts with a TREO content of ≥ 95%, encourage production to separate rare earth elements (REO), advanced technology, modern equipment, maximum recovery of accompanying useful minerals, ensuring the environment and radiation safety.

d) Nickel, copper, and gold minerals: Mining of nickel, copper, and gold ores must be accompanied by investment projects for processing in a synchronous, effective, and sustainable manner, maximizing the recovery of associated minerals, and ensuring the environment.

d) Chromite minerals: Chromite mining must have a project to exploit and process to recover maximum accompanying minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and bentonite.

Iron minerals: Research and grant licenses for iron ore exploration and exploitation to units with experience and capacity in processing and exploiting iron ore to process limolite, hematite, poor iron, laterite iron minerals in the Central Highlands, and iron ore nationwide to create quality iron ore products for use in blast furnaces of domestic iron and steel facilities.

e) Apatite minerals: Maximize internal resources and international cooperation in the fields of scientific research, technology transfer for the application of selecting type II, type IV and poor apatite, and producing selective chemicals. Focus on promoting investment in the exploitation, selection and processing of type II and type IV apatite to effectively and economically use resources.

g) For other minerals such as copper, gold, lead, zinc...: Good management of resources, exploitation, processing must use advanced technology and equipment, ensure safety and environment, maximize recovery of mineral resources to meet domestic demand, license exploration, exploitation associated with deep processing address. To synchronize state management, mining projects, investment projects for processing bauxite, titanium, rare earth, chromite, nickel, copper, gold, lead, zinc, iron must be approved by the state management agency for mineral exploitation and processing before licensing.

3. Specific goals

a) Exploration objectives

The exploration objectives for mineral types/groups in the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, are summarized in Table 1 below:

Table 1: Exploration objectives for mineral types/groups during the planning period.

TT number	Mineral type	Unit of measure	Exploration target
Phase 2021 - 2030	Phase 2031 - 2050
Project number	Reserves	Project number	Reserves
1	Bauxite	103 tons of imports	19	1,709,498
2	Titanium	103 tons (KVN)	11	36,293
3	Lead - Zinc	103 tons of weight	42	1,434	7	550
4	Iron	103 tons	35	105,095	4	348,200
5	Chromite	103 tons	1	11,500
6	Manganese	103 tons	7	1,750
7	Tin	103 tons	14	46.5	3	4.5
8	Tungsten	103 tons	8	139.3
9	Antimony	103 tons	3	25.9	1	10
10	Copper	103 tons	15	603	8	229.7
11	Nickel	103 tons	3	409	1	30
12	Molybdenum	103 tons	3	30
13	Yellow	Ton	26	101.0	2	232
14	Rare earth	103 tons TR2O3	8	983.1	1	1500
15	Apatite	103 tons	9	255.243	1	65,000
16	White marble	106 tons of CaCO3 powder	10	147,000
17	Magnesite	103 tons	1	6,000	1	10,000
18	Serpentine	103 tons	2	75,500
19	Barite	103 tons	6	3,050
20	Graphite	103 tons	2	5,500	1	1,300
21	Fluorite	103 tons	1	50
22	Bentonite	103 tons	2	4,292
23	Diatomite	103 tons	2	25,321	1	3,500
24	Talc	103 tons	5	5.102
25	Mica	103 tons	2	69.5
26	Quartz	103 tons	3	23,790	3	28,414
27	Quartz	103 tons	22	11,487
28	Vermiculite	103 tons	1	100
29	Mineral water, hot water	m3/day and night	149	56,990	2	1,000

Phase 2031 - 2050: After the results of the geological and mineral assessment survey for the 2021 - 2030 period are approved, exploration of newly discovered mines will be considered.

b) Objectives for mining and ore selection

- Maintain mining licenses that have been granted in accordance with legal regulations to ensure stability for mineral processing and utilization projects that have been invested in and built.

- Invest in new projects when the project proves that the specific consumer (unit or organization using) meets the raw material demand for the country's economic development.

The expected objectives are summarized in Table 2 as follows:

Table 2: Exploitation objectives for minerals in the planning

TT number	Mineral type	Unit of measure	Exploitation and recruitment goals
Phase 2021 - 2030	Phase 2031 - 2050
Number of mines	Output	Number of mines	Output
1	Bauxite	103 tons imported/year	18 (3)	114,500	41	118,000
2	Titanium	103 tons of KVN/year	51 (23)	2,839	41	3,720
3	Lead, zinc	103 tons imported/year	60 (13)	2,387	48	2,163
4	Iron	103 tons imported/year	66 (24)	25,480	64	33,811
5	Chromite	103 tons imported/year	2 (0)	4,700	2	4,700
6	Manganese	103 tons imported/year	11 (0)	352	10	210
7	Tin	103 tons imported/year	23 (9)	3,280	19	3,026
8	Tungsten	103 tons imported/year	9 (3)	5.115	7	7,390
9	Antimony	103 tons imported/year	4 (2)	40	3	50
10	Copper	103 tons imported/year	16 (5)	7,976	18	9,226
11	Nickel	103 tons imported/year	6 (3)	7,800	5	13,800
12	Molybdenum	103 tons imported/year	1 (0)	200	1	200
13	Yellow	103 tons imported/year	45 (8)	1,790	39	1,967
14	Rare earth	103 tons imported/year	10 (2)	2.020	13	2.112
15	Apatite	103 tons imported/year	30 (16)	14,506	25	16,799
16	White marble
- Stone cladding	103 m3/year	106 (71)	6940	106	6840
- Calcium carbonate powder	103 tons/year	39,596	39,319
17	Magnesite	103 tons imported/year	2 (0)	700	3	1,100
18	Serpentine	103 tons imported/year	7 (3)	3,960	7	3,960
19	Barite	103 tons imported/year	9 (3)	624	9	619
20	Graphite	103 tons imported/year	7 (4)	1.151	6	1.151
21	Fluorite	103 tons imported/year	5 (3)	756	5	756
22	Bentonite	103 tons imported/year	5 (1)	426	5	476
23	Diatomite	103 tons imported/year	4 (1)	540	4	740
24	Talc	103 tons imported/year	10 (2)	431	10	444
25	Mica	103 tons imported/year	3 (1)	10	3	10
26	Quartz	103 tons imported/year	8 (1)	1,570	8	1,820
27	Quartz	103 tons imported/year	23 (2)	990	20	930
28	Sericite	103 tons imported/year	3 (0)	172	3	172
29	Vermiculite	103 tons imported/year	1 (0)	5	1	5
30	Mineral water, hot water	m3/day and night	232 (66)	79,661	234	81,961

c) Objectives for processing

Focus domestic resources and promote international cooperation to invest in deep processing of minerals such as bauxite, titanium, rare earth, nickel, chromite, etc. Specifically for each type of mineral, see Table 3 below:

Table 3: Objectives of mineral processing in the planning

TT number	Mineral/product type	Unit of measure	Processing objectives	Quality, requirements
Project Number	Phase 2021 - 2030	Project Number	Phase 2031 - 2050
1	Bauxite
a	Aluminum	103 tons/year	10 (2)	11,600- 18,650	10	12,000 - 19,200	Meet domestic and export standards. Processing plant attached to mining area.
b	Aluminum ingot	106 tons/year	3 - 5 (1)	1.2 - 1.5	3 - 5	2.25 - 2.45
2	Titanium
a	Titanium slag	103 tons/year	18 (9)	853-1,113	18	1.063 - 1.323	New projects only meet raw materials for pigment production.
b	Ilmenite reduction	103 tons/year	2 (1)	20 - 40	2	40 - 60
c	Zircon powder + zircon compound	103 tons/year	17 (9)	302 - 359	16	362 - 425
d	Artificial Rutin	103 tons/year	2 (0)	60 - 70	2	100 - 110
e	Pigment	103 tons/year	6 (2)	350 - 420	6	370 - 500
f	Titanium sponge/titanium metal	103 tons/year	2 (0)	10 - 15	2	15 - 25
g	Ferrotitan	103 tons/year	2 (0)	20 - 30	2	20 - 30
3	Lead, zinc	103 tons KL/year	27 (16)	380	27	402.5
4	Chromite (Ferrocrom)	103 tons/year	2 (2)	90	2	90	High carbon ferrochrome, average Cr content >54% Cr
5	Manganese (ferromanganese, silicomanganese)	103 tons/year	13 (13)	356	12	406	Meet domestic standards
6	Tin	Tons KL/year	6 (6)	3400	6	3400
7	Tungsten	Tons of products/year	3 (3)	13,500	3	13,500	(APT, BTO; YTO)
8	Antimony	Tons KL/year	3 (3)	3,300	3	3,300
9	Copper	Tons/year	11 (9)	110,000	11	110,000	Copper ingot
10	Nickel	Tons/year	2 (0)	27 - 48	2(0)	42 - 78	Nickel metal
11	Molybdenum	Tons/year	1 (0)	200	1	400	Production of (NH4)2MoO4 (or ferromolybdenum refining)
12	Yellow	kg/year	8 (6)	6.146	7	6,346
13	Rare earth	Tons of REO/year	7 (1)	62,500	7	82,500
14	White marble
a	All kinds of paving stones	103 m3/year	43 (43)	11,000	43	10,700
b	Lumps, granules, powders	103 tons/year	58 (52)	9,461	58	9,684
15	Alkaline calcined magnesite	103 tons/year	1 (0)	70	1	70
16	Serpentine (powder)	103 tons/year	6 (3)	3,950	6	3,950
17	Barite	103 tons/year	10 (7)	292	10	392	BaSO4 powder ≥ 95%
18	Graphite	103 tons/year	5 (1)	110	5	111	C > 80%
19	Fluorite	103 tons/year	4 (1)	256	4	460	CaF2 > 80%
20	Bentonite	103 tons/year	5 (2)	165	5	260
21	Diatomite	103 tons/year	3 (2)	143	3	350
22	Talc (powder)	103 tons/year	5 (1)	380	5	460
23	Mica	Tons/year	4 (4)	1,700	2	1,500
24	Quartz	103 tons/year	9 (6)	730	9	1,040
25	Quartz	103 tons/year	10 (4)	1,454	10	1,454
26	Sericite	103 tons/year	2 (1)	138	2	146
27	Mineral water, NKN		Serving the needs of bottled mineral water and resort tourism

C. PLANNING FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MINERALS

I. RESOURCES

Resources and resource reserves mobilized in the planning period up to 2030, with a vision to 2050, are summarized in Table 4 below (details in Appendix I attached):

Table 4: Reserves and resources of various minerals mobilized in the Planning period

STT	Mineral type	Unit of measure	Reserves	Resources and forecast resources	Total
1	Bauxite	103 tons of imports	3,084,674	6,465,328	9,549,419
2	Titanium - Ilmenite	103 tons of KVN	109,053	502.301	611,354
Zircon			82,426
3	Lead, zinc	Ton	865.190	4,943,816	5,809,006
4	Iron	103 tons of imports	491,282	663,248	1,152,365
5	Chromite	103 tons of Cr2O3	14,484	7,288	21,773
6	Manganese	103 tons of weight	3,989	6,779	10,769
7	Tin	Tons KL	23,251	125,198	148,449
8	Tungsten	Tons KL	172,908	136,499	309,407
9	Antimony	Tons KL	54,375	90,501	144,876
10	Copper	Tons KL	432,106	1,098,520	1,530,626
11	Nickel	103 tons of weight	611.8	3,454.5	4,066.4
12	Molybdenum	Ton	7,400	21,000	28,400
13	Yellow	Kg	75,012.7	124,613	199,626
14	Gemstone	Kg	229	631	860
15	Rare earth	Tons of TR2O3	3,472,347	16,349,207	19,821,554
16	Apatite	103 tons of imports	126,247	1,854,257	1,960,126
17	White marble	103 tons	1,684,905	2,899,892	4,664,798
18	Magnesite	103 tons	23,575	71,434	95,010
19	Serpentine	103 tons	32,342	67,079	99,421
20	Barite	103 tons	17,321	5,615	22,936
21	Graphite	103 tons	9,715	21,670	33,243
22	Fluorite	103 tons	16,035	4,038	20,074
23	Bentonite	103 tons	15,401	114,418	129,819
24	Diatomite	103 tons	566	302,656	303,222
25	Talc	103 tons	1,061	8,700	9,761
26	Mica	103 tons	70.5	370	440
27	Pyrite	103 tons	18,187	34,759	52,946
28	Quartz	103 tons	12,848	157,954	170,801
29	Quartz	103 tons	4,173	20,229	24,403
30	Silymarin	103 tons	218	5,933	6.151
31	Sericite	103 tons	2,816	2.108	4,924
32	Vermicilit	103 tons		3,807	3,807
33	Mineral water	m3/day and night	≈ 90,000		≈ 90,000

II. PLANNING FOR EXPLORATION, EXPLOITATION AND PROCESSING OF MINERALS

1. Bauxite minerals

Exploring and exploiting bauxite minerals, producing alumina and aluminum metal in sync with developing transport infrastructure, seaports, electricity and water supply, ensuring the environment and preserving biodiversity suitable for each specific stage; ensuring security and national defense, preserving national cultural identity, and protecting the ecology of the Central Highlands.

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: implement 19 projects in Lang Son (1), Dak Nong (7), Lam Dong (8); Binh Phuoc (2); Gia Lai (1) with the target reserve reaching ≈ 1,709 million tons of raw ore.

- Period after 2031 - 2050: after the results of geological investigation and assessment in prospective areas in the period of 2021 - 2030 are approved, exploration of newly discovered mines will be considered.

Details of bauxite mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.1 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain the design capacity of existing mines; expand and increase the capacity of Tay Tan Rai mine and Nhan Co mine; invest in new mining projects in: Dak Nong (4 - 5), Lam Dong (2 - 3), Binh Phuoc (1), Gia Lai (1). Total mining capacity up to 2030: 68,150 - 112,200 million tons of raw materials/year.

Invest in 3 new bauxite mining and processing projects in the Northern region: Lang Son (1); Cao Bang (2) with a total capacity of 1,550,000 - 2,250,000 tons of raw ore/year.

For bauxite mines in the Central Highlands (near densely populated areas), consider early exploration and licensing to maximize mineral resource recovery and allow conversion of land use purposes to serve socio-economic development...

For low-quality bauxite mines in the Northern region, maximize mineral resource recovery, improve the quality of cultivated land, serve domestic needs and export with permission from competent authorities as prescribed by law.

- After 2030: Maintain the design capacity of existing mines, invest in new mining projects in Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Binh Phuoc, Kon Tum, etc. to supply bauxite concentrate for invested alumina plant projects and expansion projects when needed. Total expected mining capacity by 2050: 72.3 - 118.0 million tons of raw materials/year. In addition, the licensing of mining in newly explored areas in the period 2031 - 2050 will be considered when proposed by investors.

Details of bauxite mining projects are in Appendix III.1 attached.

c) Processing

- Period to 2030:

(1) Alumina production: Investing in increasing the capacity of 2 alumina factories Tan Rai - Lam Dong and Nhan Co - Dak Nong from 650,000 tons/year to about 2,000,000 tons/year (divided into 02 phases: phase 1 increases capacity to 800,000 tons of alumina/year; phase 2 invests in expansion with a capacity of 1,200,000 tons of alumina/year).

New investment in alumina production projects in Dak Nong (4), Lam Dong (2), Binh Phuoc (1), Gia Lai (1) with a minimum capacity of 1,000,000 tons of alumina/year/project or more. New investment projects in alumina production must use advanced technology, in which red mud treatment technology must use dry disposal method, ensuring the environment and encouraging projects to produce construction materials from red mud. The location chosen by the investor and locality is suitable for red mud dumping, near the mine selection area.

Total capacity by 2030: 11,600 - 18,650 thousand tons of aluminum/year.

(2) Aluminum metal production: Complete the pilot project of Dak Nong Aluminum Electrolysis Plant with a capacity of 300,000 tons of aluminum ingots/year, expanding to 450,000 tons of aluminum ingots/year. Invest in new aluminum metal production projects in Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Binh Phuoc and provinces with adequate energy sources. Total capacity by 2030: 1,200,000 - 1,500,000 tons of aluminum ingots/year.

The locations of the factories can be located in provinces with raw material and energy sources. The new aluminum electrolysis plant must follow the market mechanism, encourage investment in renewable energy projects to ensure part of the energy in the exploited bauxite mines and produce aluminum processed products, develop mechanical engineering and supporting industries and be consistent with the content of Decision No. 09/QD-TTg dated February 11, 2023 of the Prime Minister on promulgating the Action Plan to implement Conclusion No. 31-KL/TW dated March 7, 2022 of the Politburo on the development orientation of the bauxite - alumina - aluminum industry until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

- Phase 2031 - 2050:

(1) Alumina production: Maintain design capacity and invest in expanding capacity of existing factories.

Total expected capacity: 12,000 - 19,200 thousand tons of aluminum/year.

(2) Aluminum metal production: Maintain the capacity of Dak Nong aluminum electrolysis plant; invest in new aluminum metal production projects associated with self-sufficiency in raw materials and fuel; encourage investment in renewable energy projects in exploited bauxite mines. The location and specific projects are decided by investors based on economic efficiency.

Total expected capacity: 2,250,000 ÷ 2,450,000 tons of aluminum ingots/year.

Details of bauxite mineral processing projects are in Appendix IV.1 attached.

2. Titanium minerals

The licensing of new exploration and exploitation must be linked to processing and production of pigments; investors selected to implement new exploitation projects must have sufficient capacity to synchronously implement projects from exploitation to processing and production of pigments, using advanced technology, modern equipment, and protecting the environment.

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: Complete licensed exploration projects in Thai Nguyen (2), Quang Binh (3); conduct new exploration projects in Thai Nguyen (3), Quang Tri (3); Binh Thuan (2) with the exploration target of reaching about 36,200,000 tons of heavy minerals.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: New exploration after receiving results of geological and mineral investigation and assessment in phase 2021 - 2030.

Details of titanium mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.2 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period 2021 - 2030: Maintain the output of licensed mines (23 mines; total licensed capacity ≈ 1,450,000 tons of KVN/year), license ≈ 32 new mines in the provinces of Thai Nguyen (5), Ha Tinh (1), Quang Binh (3); Quang Tri (4), Binh Thuan (13). Total capacity ≈ 2,759,000 tons of KVN/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain production at licensed mines and increase capacity at Luong Son I, Luong Son II, Luong Son III mines. Total capacity in phase 2021 - 2050 is expected to reach ≈ 3,634,000 tons of KVN/year.

Details of titanium mineral exploitation projects are in Appendix III.2 attached.

c) Processing

- Period to 2030:

Maintain existing processing projects with total capacity: titanium slag ≈ 319,000 tons/year with 9 invested projects; reduced ilmenite ≈ 20,000 tons/year with 01 invested project; zircon powder + zircon compounds of all kinds ≈ 154,500 tons/year with 10 invested projects.

New investment in processing projects:

(1) Titanium slag: New investment in 7 - 9 projects with total capacity of ≈ 770,000 tons/year; New projects are only licensed to serve pigment production and other industries. Locations are selected appropriately by investors and localities.

(2) Reduced Ilmenite: Invest in 01 new project with expected output of 20,000 - 40,000 tons/year.

(3) Zircon powder, zircon compounds and other products from zircon: New investment or expansion of 4 - 5 processing projects with a total capacity of ≈ 230,000 tons/year;

(4) Pigment: Invest in 3 - 4 new processing projects with total capacity: 320,000 - 450,000 tons/year; locations are selected appropriately by investors and localities.

(5) Artificial Rutin: Invest in 1 - 2 new production projects with a total capacity of 60,000 - 70,000 tons/year.

(6) Sponge titanium/metal titanium: Invest in 1 - 2 new projects with capacity of 10,000 - 15,000 tons/year;

(7) Ferrotitan: Invest in building 1 - 2 new factories with total capacity of 20,000 - 25,000 tons/year.

(8) Monazite: Invest in a new monazite processing plant with a capacity of 10,000 - 15,000 tons/year to process monazite recovered from the ilmenite ore selection process.

In case of eliminating the exploitation of titanium mines in Ninh Thuan, the accompanying titanium processing projects in Ninh Thuan will be simultaneously eliminated.

- Phase 2031 - 2050:

Maintain licensed projects and grant new projects to ensure design capacity with products and total output as follows:

(1) Titanium slag: ≈ 1,323,000 tons/year.

(2) Reduced Ilmenite: maintain project capacity of 40,000 - 60,000 tons/year.

(3) Zircon powder, zircon compounds and other products from zircon: With a total capacity of ≈ 450,000 tons/year;

(4) Artificial rutile: processing projects with total capacity: ≈ 110,000 tons/year.

(5) Pigment production: Maintain and increase the capacity of existing projects with a total expected capacity of 400,000 - 500,000 tons/year.

(6) Sponge titanium/metal titanium: Maintain existing projects, can invest in expansion or new additions (if there is a market) and investors from 1 - 2 projects. Total expected capacity is 15,000 - 25,000 tons/year.

(7) Ferrotitan: Maintain factory output and consider granting new licenses for 1-2 projects with a capacity of 15,000-25,000 tons/year when investors register to implement.

(8) Monazite: Maintain the invested monazite processing plant and expand the area in need with a capacity of 15,000 - 20,000 tons/year to process monazite recovered from the ilmenite ore selection process.

Details of titanium processing projects are in Appendix IV.2 attached.

3. Lead and zinc minerals

a) Exploration

- Period to 2030:

+ Complete licensed exploration projects in the previous phase of 9 projects with the target reserve of 450,000 ÷ 500,000 tons of lead and zinc metal.

+ Granted 34 new exploration projects in the provinces including: Tuyen Quang (5); Bac Kan (18); Lao Cai (3); Yen Bai (2); Dien Bien (2); Thai Nguyen (3); Quang Binh (1) with the target of reaching reserves of 1,000,000 ÷ 1,050,000 tons of lead-zinc metal reserves.

-Phase 2031-2050: additional exploration to upgrade reserves, deep exploration of existing mines and licensing of new exploration from 8 ÷ 10 mines with the target reserve of ≈ 555,000 tons of lead-zinc metal reserves.

Details of lead and zinc mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.3 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain production of licensed projects (12 mines, total output ≈ 700,000 tons of ore/year).

New investment projects in the provinces: Cao Bang (2); Tuyen Quang (8); Bac Kan (23); Thai Nguyen (3); Lao Cai (3); Yen Bai (3); Dien Bien (3); Quang Binh (1) with a total capacity of ≈ 1,689,000 tons of lead - zinc ore/year to supplement output for mines with expired licenses.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain production of licensed projects, invest in 5 - 10 new projects with a total capacity of ≈ 2,163,000 tons of lead-zinc ore/year.

Details of lead-zinc mining projects are in Appendix III.3 attached.

c) Processing

- Period to 2030:

+ Maintain the operation of invested projects in the provinces of Cao Bang; Ha Giang; Tuyen Quang; Bac Kan; Thai Nguyen, ... with a total processing capacity of ≈ 215,000 tons of lead - zinc metal/year.

+ Complete licensed projects: Investment project to build Yen Bai multi-ferrous metal factory with capacity of 40,000 tons/year; Lead metal smelting factory in Bac Kan with capacity of 20,000 tons/year; Nam Quang - Ha Giang lead-zinc factory with capacity of 10,000 tons/year.

+ Invest in new lead-zinc smelting factories in Cao Bang (1); Tuyen Quang (2), Bac Kan (3); Thai Nguyen (2); Yen Bai (2) with a total capacity of ≈ 165,000 tons of metal/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain the operation of licensed projects, only consider granting new licenses or increasing the capacity of projects when the source of raw materials for the project can be proven.

Details of processing projects are in Appendix IV.3 attached.

4. Iron minerals

a) Exploration

- Period to 2030:

+ Complete exploration projects for Ban Tan, Bang Tuong, Lung Vien mines - Bac Kan; Tan Son - Phu Tho; Lang My 2 - Yen Bai; Nui Khoang, Nui Vom - Quang Ngai; ...

+ New exploration, expanded exploration, upgrading of reserves of projects in: Ha Giang (4); Cao Bang (2); Bac Kan (9); Tuyen Quang (1); Phu Tho (1); Thai Nguyen (3); Dien Bien (1); Lao Cai (3); Yen Bai (9); Ha Tinh (1); Quang Nam (1); Quang Ngai (2); with the target of reaching reserves of - 105,095 million tons of raw materials.

- Phase 2031 - 2050:

New exploration and deep exploration, expanding and upgrading reserves from 5 - 10 projects with the target of reaching reserves of 40 - 50 million tons of raw materials and exploring laterite iron minerals in Chu Se and Duc Co areas of Gia Lai province.

Details of the exploration projects are in Appendix II.4 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period to 2030:

+ Maintain output and restore production of licensed projects with a total output of 5.0 - 5.5 million tons of raw materials (not including output from the temporarily suspended Thach Khe iron mine with a licensed capacity of 5 million tons/year, only mobilized into the planning when the competent authority decides to continue mining).

+ New investment projects in: Ha Giang (7); Cao Bang (2); Bac Kan (12); Tuyen Quang (1); Phu Tho (2); Lao Cai (5); Yen Bai (9); Hoa Binh (1); Dien Bien (1); Thai Nguyen (4); Thanh Hoa (1); Ha Tinh (3); Quang Ngai (2); Quang Nam (1), with a total newly-granted capacity of 14.8 million tons of raw materials to supply domestic iron and steel projects.

- Phase 2031 - 2050:

Maintain production at mines, invest in new ones, expand and increase the capacity of 20 mines and license a new laterite iron ore mine in Gia Lai with the target of national mining output reaching ≈33.7 million tons of raw materials/year.

Details of iron ore mining projects are in Appendix III.4 attached.

c) Processing

Maintain the operation of existing iron ore processing plants to ensure the supply of iron ore concentrate with Fe content ≥ 60% for domestic steel factories. Build new or renovate and expand iron ore processing plants along with new steel production projects.

5. Chromite minerals

a) Exploration

- Phase 2021 - 2030: Implement the project to evaluate and convert reserves for chromite mineral sand in Tinh Me - An Thuong area, Nong Cong district, Thanh Hoa province.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Undetermined

Details of chromite mineral exploration projects are in Appendix III.5 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Phase 2021 - 2030:

+ Granting a license to exploit Co Dinh - Thanh Hoa chromite mine with a capacity of ≈ 2,300,000 tons of raw ore/year; prioritizing the mobilization of exploitation in the area near Co Dinh lake first to soon finish exploitation and hand over the land fund for local socio-economic development.

+ Investing in chromite mining in Tinh Me - An Thuong area, Trieu Son and Nong Cong districts with a capacity of ≈ 2,500,000 tons of raw ore/year.

New chromite ore mining and processing projects must recover accompanying minerals including Nickel, Cobalt, and Bentonite.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain production of licensed mines and consider investing in new exploitation in other areas upon proposal from businesses.

Details of chromite mining projects are in Appendix III.5 attached.

c) Processing

Maintain production of licensed ferrochromium projects, do not license new investments in ferrochromium projects, encourage existing factories to find imported raw materials or convert products to maintain production.

Details of chromite mineral processing projects are in Appendix IV.4 attached.

6. Manganese minerals

a) Exploration

- Period to 2030:

+ Complete licensed exploration projects such as: Trung Thanh, Coc Hec - Ha Giang; Roong Thay - Cao Bang;

+ New exploration of 4 mines in: Tuyen Quang (1); Cao Bang (2); Ha Tinh (1), with the target reserve reaching ≈ 1.75 million tons of raw ore.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: New exploration of other areas when the results of geological and mineral investigation and assessment for the 2021-2030 period are available.

Details of manganese mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.6 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period to 2030:

+ Maintain production at mining sites licensed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the People's Committees of the provinces.

+ Invest in 9 new mining projects after exploration results in the provinces: Ha Giang (3); Tuyen Quang (1); Cao Bang (5); Ha Tinh (1) with the target of total output reaching 352,000 tons of raw minerals/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain exploitation of licensed mines, make new investments when new exploration projects are added to the planning.

Details of manganese mining projects are in Appendix III.6 attached.

c) Processing

- Phase up to 2030: maintain operations and achieve design capacity of existing factories in Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan. Total capacity up to 2030: ≈ 256,000 tons/year; (excluding the Bac Kan iron-manganese smelting project with a capacity of 100,000 tons/year).

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain operations of existing factories. Do not invest in new factories, only expand and increase capacity of factories when raw materials are available. Total capacity: ≈ 306,000 tons/year (excluding the Bac Kan iron - manganese smelting project).

Details of manganese mineral processing projects are in Appendix IV.5 attached.

7. Tin minerals

a) Exploration

- Period to 2030:

+ Complete licensed exploration projects (04 projects): Bu Me - Thanh Hoa; Khe Bun - Ha Tinh; La Vi - Quang Ngai; Tap La - Ninh Thuan.

+ New exploration of 14 mines in the provinces: Ha Giang (1); Cao Bang (1); Tuyen Quang (4); Thai Nguyen (2); Nghe An (1); Lam Dong (3) with the target reserve of ≈ 46,030 tons of tin metal.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Additional exploration to upgrade reserves and new exploration of 4 - 5 mines with a target reserve of ≈ 4,500 tons of tin metal.

Details of tin mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.7 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period to 2030:

Maintain operations of licensed and newly licensed mines, and license expansion to increase mine capacity in the following provinces: Ha Giang (2); Tuyen Quang (5); Cao Bang (1); Thai Nguyen (3); Thanh Hoa (1); Nghe An (5); Quang Ngai (1); Lam Dong (4); Ninh Thuan (1) with a total mining output of ≈ 3,280,000 tons of tin ore/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain annual mining output of ≈ 3,026,000 tons of tin ore/year. Consider licensing new projects when they have been added to the planning.

Details of tin mining projects are in Appendix III.7 attached.

c) Processing

Phase to 2030: Maintain output of existing tin smelting projects, no new investment.

Phase 2031 - 2050: No new construction permits granted, only consider expanding investment in existing projects when raw material sources are proactive.

Details of tin mineral processing projects are in Appendix IV.6 attached;

8. Tungsten mineral

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: Complete licensed exploration projects, grant new exploration licenses for 6 mines in the provinces: Ha Giang (1); Tuyen Quang (1); Thai Nguyen (2); Lam Dong (1); Binh Thuan (1) with the target reserve reaching ≈ 140,100 tons of WO3.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: New exploration if there are results of geological and mineral investigation and assessment in the 2021 - 2030 period.

Details of tungsten mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.8 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain the operation of licensed mines and license the exploitation of 8 new mines in the provinces: Ha Giang (1); Tuyen Quang (1); Thai Nguyen (3); Thanh Hoa (1); Lam Dong (1); Binh Thuan (1) which have been surveyed and assessed for reserves with the goal of exploiting ≈ 5,115,000 tons of raw ore/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain operations of licensed mines, grant new licenses when exploration results are available and planning is supplemented, ensuring maintenance of output of ≈ 7,390,000 tons of raw ore/year.

Details of tungsten mining projects are provided in Appendix III.8.

c) Processing

Phase 2021 - 2030 and phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain the output of existing tungsten processing plants, do not grant new investment licenses. Only grant investment licenses for tungsten processing plants when the investor confirms the source of raw materials (after exploration or import).

Details of tungsten mineral processing projects are in Appendix IV.7 attached.

9. Antimony minerals

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: Complete the licensed exploration project of Lang Vai - Tuyen Quang; grant new exploration licenses, additional exploration in the areas: Ha Giang (1); Tuyen Quang (2); with the target reserve of 25,930 tons of antimony metal.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: New exploration when there are results of geological and mineral investigation and assessment in phase 2021 - 2030.

Details of antimony mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.9 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain operations of mines such as: Mau Due - Ha Giang; Lang Vai - Tuyen Quang and invest in new mines that have been explored with the target of mining output reaching ≈ 40,000 tons of raw ore/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Invest in new and maintain 5 mines to ensure the operation of processing plants with an output of ≈ 50,000 tons of raw ore/year.

Details of antimony mining projects are in Appendix III.9 attached.

c) Processing

Phase 2021 - 2030 and phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain the output of existing Antimony smelters, do not grant new investment licenses. Only grant investment licenses for Antimony smelters when the investor confirms the source of raw materials (after exploration or import).

Details of antimony mineral processing projects are in Appendix IV.8 attached.

10. Copper minerals

a) Exploration

- Period to 2030:

+ Complete licensed exploration projects such as: Project to explore additional reserves of the entire deep part of the Sin Quyen copper mine - Lao Cai; Project to explore and upgrade reserves of 333 resource blocks of the deep part of the Vi Kem copper mine, Coc My commune, Bat Xat district - Lao Cai;...

+ New exploration and deep exploration of 16 projects in the localities of Lao Cai (7); Yen Bai (1); Son La (2); Cao Bang (2); Thanh Hoa (1); Kon Tum (2) with the target reserve of reaching ≈ 600,000 tons of copper metal.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Continue deep exploration, expand existing mines (10 mines) and grant new ones when mineralization points are discovered and conduct geological assessment with the exploration goal of reaching ≈ 320,000 tons of copper metal.

Details of copper mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.10 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain mining output of licensed mines such as Sin Quyen, Ta Phoi, Vi Kem - Lao Cai; Khe Cam, Lang Phat - Yen Bai and recover copper from licensed polymetallic mines such as: Nui Phao, Ban Phuc Nickel; Nickel - Copper Quang Trung commune, Ha Tri - Cao Bang.

New investment, expanded exploitation, increased capacity, and copper ore recovery in the following provinces: Lao Cai (5); Yen Bai (1); Son La (4); Dien Bien (1); Thanh Hoa (1); Cao Bang (2); Kon Tum (3). Total mining output ≈ 11,400,000 tons of copper ore/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Invest in deep mining of explored mines, upgrade and invest in 5 new mines in Lao Cai after exploration results are available.

Details of copper mining projects are in Appendix III.10 attached.

c) Processing

- Period up to 2030: Maintain licensed projects in Lao Cai, Yen Bai; Thai Nguyen; grant new investment licenses for 02 copper smelting factories in the areas: Tang Loong Industrial Park, Bao Thang District, Lao Cai Province and Kon Ray District, Kon Tum Province. Total processing capacity ≈ 110,000 tons of copper metal/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain the output of invested copper smelters, do not grant new investment licenses, only grant investment licenses to expand capacity when ensuring raw material sources.

Details of copper mineral processing projects are in Appendix IV.9 attached.

11. Nickel minerals

Enterprises licensed to exploit mines must have sufficient capacity to synchronously implement investment in processing projects suitable for nickel metal products, using advanced technology, modern equipment, and sustainable environmental protection.

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: Complete the exploration projects to upgrade the Ban Phuc nickel mine; Nickel - Copper Ta Khoa - Son La. New exploration and additional exploration, expansion of areas including: Cao Bang (1); Son La (1) with the target reserve of ≈ 409,000 tons of nickel metal equivalent.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Additional exploration to upgrade reserves of 1 mine in Son La in the area explored in the previous phase with the target reserve reaching ≈ 30,000 tons of equivalent nickel metal.

Details of nickel mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.11 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain production of Ban Phuc Nickel mines - Son La; Suoi Cun Nickel - Copper mines - Cao Bang; Ha Tri Nickel - Copper mines - Cao Bang; invest in 4 new mining projects in Cao Bang (1); Son La (3) with the target of mining ≈ 7,200,000 tons of nickel ore/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain production of licensed mines and license expansion and upgrade of mines whose mining licenses have expired, total output ≈ 13,200,000 tons of nickel ore/year.

Details of nickel mining projects are in Appendix III.11 attached.

c) Processing

- Period up to 2030: invest in deep processing projects of nickel metal;

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain stable operations of existing processing projects, continue to invest in expanding and increasing the capacity of nickel deep processing projects when ensuring raw material sources.

Details of nickel mineral processing projects are in Appendix IV.10 attached.

12. Molybdenum Mineral

a) Exploration

- Phase to 2030: complete the licensed molybdenum exploration project in Lao Cai (Kin Tchang Lake).

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Exploration and upgrading of reserves of 01 mine in Lao Cai or exploration of other new mines when there are results of geological and mineral investigation and assessment in the period 2021 - 2030.

Details of molybdenum mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.12 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Investing in exploiting molybdenum mines in Kin Tchang Ho, Pa Cheo - Lao Cai.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Invest in expanding Kin Tchang Ho mine if needed.

Details of molybdenum mining projects are in Appendix III.12 attached.

c) Processing

Invest in building a new factory to produce (NH4)2MoO4 or smelt ferromolybdenum with a capacity of 200 tons/year and increase the capacity in the period after 2030 to 400 tons/year.

Details of molybdenum mineral processing projects are in Appendix IV.11 attached.

13. Gold minerals

a) Exploration

- Period to 2030:

+ Complete exploration projects in the mines: Sang Sui - Nam Suong, Pusancap - Zone I of Lai Chau province; Cam Muon, Huoi Co (Ban San), Ban Bon areas of Nghe An province; A Dang area of ​​Quang Tri province; A pey B area - Thua Thien Hue province; Ma Dao area of ​​Phu Yen province.

+ New exploration, additional exploration to upgrade reserves of mines in the provinces: Ha Giang (2); Tuyen Quang (3); Cao Bang (2); Bac Kan (5); Thai Nguyen (1); Lao Cai (1); Yen Bai (1); Lai Chau (3); Son La (2); Quang Tri (3); Thua Thien Hue (1); Quang Nam (9); Phu Yen (1); with the target reserve reaching ≈ 101 tons of gold.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Additional exploration, expanded exploration and new exploration from 5 newly discovered mines and mineralization points, with the target reserve reaching ≈ 232 tons of gold metal.

Details of gold mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.13 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain exploitation at the designed capacity of existing mines and recover maximum gold minerals from copper and polymetallic mineral mining projects. Invest in new mines licensed for exploration in the previous period and conduct new exploration in the period 2021 - 2030. Total expected output by 2030 is ≈ 1,780 million tons of gold ore/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: New investment, expansion investment to increase capacity of licensed mines (≈ 10 projects), mines that have been explored and recover maximum gold minerals from polymetallic mineral exploitation projects.

Details of gold mining projects are in Appendix III.13 attached.

c) Processing

- Period up to 2030: Maintain existing gold processing, smelting and refining projects with a capacity of ≈ 6,146 kg/year. Invest in new gold refining facilities in Lai Chau and Tuyen Quang and expand existing projects to meet the processing needs of mining facilities.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain licensed processing facilities, only invest in expanding and increasing capacity of existing projects. Total output ≈ 6,346 kg of gold metal/year.

Details of gold mineral processing projects are in Appendix IV.12 attached.

14. Rare earth minerals

Enterprises licensed to exploit mines must have sufficient capacity and must invest in suitable processing projects (the product is at least the sum of oxides, hydroxides, rare earth salts with TREO content ≥ 95%, encouraged to produce up to individual rare earth elements (REO)), using advanced technology, modern equipment, and sustainable environmental protection.

a) Exploration

- Phase up to 2030: Complete licensed exploration projects at Bac Nam Xe and Nam Nam Xe mines in Lai Chau province. Upgrade and expand licensed mines and invest in new exploration at: Lai Chau (7); Lao Cai (2); Yen Bai (1).

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Additional exploration of licensed rare earth mines and exploration of 1 - 2 new mines in Lai Chau and Lao Cai.

Details of rare earth mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.14 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Promote the search for technology and mining markets associated with deep processing of rare earth minerals at licensed mines such as Dong Pao - Lai Chau; Yen Phu - Yen Bai.

Planned new investment in mining projects in Lai Chau (5), Lao Cai (3); Yen Bai (1).

Total mining output reaches ≈ 2,020,000 tons of raw ore/year.

- Period 2031 - 2050: Maintain the operation of existing projects, invest in expanding Dong Pao mine and invest in 3 - 4 new mining projects in Lai Chau, Lao Cai if there are synchronous investors from exploration, mining, processing associated with product consumption market. Total mining output reaches ≈ 2,112,000 tons of raw ore/year.

Details of rare earth mineral exploitation projects are in Appendix III.14 attached.

c) Processing

- Phase to 2030: Complete investment in Rare Earth Processing Plant in Yen Phu Commune, Van Yen District, Yen Bai Province.

(1) Total rare earth oxides (TREO): New investment from 3 rare earth hydrometallurgy - processing projects in Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces with processed products by 2030 (excluding processing output of factories that have invested from imported raw materials), expected from 20,000 - 60,000 tons/year.

(2) Separate rare earth (REO): New investment in rare earth extraction and processing projects in Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces or locations suitable for separate rare earth processing products by 2030 (excluding processing output of factories that have invested from imported raw materials), expected from 20,000 - 60,000 tons/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Based on the actual situation, invest in expanding and increasing the capacity of existing projects. Focus on deep processing of rare earth metals.

(1) Total rare earth oxides (TREO): 40,000 - 80,000 tons/year;

(2) Individual rare earths (REO): 40,000 - 80,000 tons/year;

(3) Rare earth metals: New investment in rare earth metallurgy plant, location chosen by investor with total capacity of rare earth metals from 7,500 - 10,000 tons/year.

Details of rare earth processing projects are in Appendix IV.13 attached.

15. Precious minerals

a) Exploration

The development of investment projects for gemstone exploration and exploitation in the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, is based on the results of the investigation and assessment approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

b) Exploitation

Maintain exploitation of Doi Ty - Khe Met gemstone mining project, Quy Chau, Nghe An province.

16. Apatite minerals

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: Explore 10 new areas with the target reserve of ≈ 260 million tons of various types of apatite minerals. Prioritize licensing of deep exploration projects in areas with mining licenses to maintain stable production.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Deep exploration with mines that have mining licenses.

Details of apatite mineral exploration projects are in Appendix II.16 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period to 2030:

+ Maintain production for licensed mining projects (13 mines), license 18 new mining projects with the target of total mining output of 10.1 - 12.0 million tons of various types of apatite ore.

+ Exploit and recover type III apatite at storage areas (13 warehouses) in the form of rolling exploitation with a total output of ≈ 2,500,000 tons/year to supply existing processing plants to maintain raw material sources for processing projects.

+ Exploitation and recovery of poor type III apatite ores (content

Maintain the operation of existing apatite ore processing plants and invest in new apatite ore processing plants according to mining projects to meet processing needs (newly invested ore processing plants have a minimum capacity of 100,000 tons of products/year and a maximum of 300,000 tons of products/year).

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain the operation of licensed projects and license 4 - 5 new projects to ensure mining output of ≈ 16.8 million tons of various types of apatite ore, focusing mainly on type II apatite.

Details of apatite mining projects are in Appendix III.16 attached.

17. White marble mineral

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: Complete licensed exploration projects (7), grant new exploration licenses for mines in Tuyen Quang province (3); Nghe An (2).

- Phase 2031 - 2050: only consider licensing exploration projects when needed.

Details of white marble exploration projects are in Appendix II.17 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain the operation of licensed mines with a capacity of ≈ 26 million tons of licensed white stone lumps, granules, and powder; grant new mining licenses to licensed exploration projects with a total output of ≈ 13.3 million tons of white stone lumps, granules, and powder/year and ≈ 2.01 million m3 of paving stones/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain operations of licensed mines, no new mining licenses granted.

Details of white marble mining projects are in Appendix III.17 attached.

c) Processing

- Period to 2030:

+ Maintain the output of licensed stone powder processing factories (54 factories with a capacity of ≈ 7.2 million tons of stone blocks, granules, and powders of all kinds/year). Grant new investment licenses for 6 white stone powder processing projects in: Yen Bai (4); Bac Kan (1), Nghe An (2) with a capacity of ≈ 2.5 million tons of stone blocks, granules, and powders of all kinds/year.

+ Maintain existing stone and construction stone processing factories, focusing on processing products to serve domestic and export needs.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain operations of licensed projects.

Details of white marble processing projects are in Appendix IV.14 attached.

18. Magnesite mineral

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: Complete exploration of licensed mines (Tay Kon Queng and Tay So Ro) in Gia Lai province.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Exploration, expansion and upgrading of reserves at Tay Kon Queng and Tay So Ro mines in Gia Lai province with the target reserve of ≈ 10 million tons.

Details of magnesite exploration projects are in Appendix II.18 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Granting mining licenses for 02 mines Tay Kon Queng and Tay So Ro in Gia Lai province.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain operations of 02 licensed mines and invest in expanding the capacity of these 02 mines if conditions permit.

Details of magnesite mining projects are in Appendix III.18 attached.

c) Processing

- Phase to 2030: Invest in building 01 factory to produce activated magnesite to serve domestic demand.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain production of licensed activated magnesite factory.

Details of magnesite processing projects are in Appendix IV.15 attached.

19. Serpentine minerals

a) Exploration

- Period to 2030:

+ New exploration of mine sites in Te Thang and Te Loi communes, Nong Cong district, Thanh Hoa, with target reserves of ≈ 75 million tons.

+ Exploration of village 5, Phuoc Hiep commune, Phuoc Son district, Quang Nam province, target reserves of ≈ 5.5 million tons.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Not determined.

Details of serpentine exploration projects are in Appendix II.19 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain licensed projects such as: Bai Ang - Thanh Hoa; Te Thang - Thanh Hoa; Thuong Ha - Lao Cai with output target of ≈ 660 thousand tons/year.

Licensing new projects at:

- Tat Thang Mine, Tat Thang Commune, Thanh Son District, Phu Tho Province, capacity 50,000 tons/year.

- Te Thang mine, Te Thang commune and Te Loi commune, Nong Cong district, Thanh Hoa province with maximum output of 2,000,000 tons/year.

- Te Thang Mine, Te Thang Commune, Nong Cong District, Thanh Hoa Province with maximum output of 1,000,000 tons/year.

- Mine area of ​​village 5, Phuoc Hiep commune, Phuoc Son district, Quang Nam province, with maximum output of 300,000 tons/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain licensed projects and total output reaches ≈ 3,360,000 tons/year.

Details of serpentine mining projects are in Appendix III.19 attached.

c) Processing

- Phase to 2030: Maintain the operation of the existing Bai Ang serpentine powder grinding plant and invest in expanding or investing in 1-2 new powder grinding projects with the target of total processing capacity reaching 2,950 - 3,950 thousand tons/year. Processed serpentine products are mainly supplied for the production of fused phosphate fertilizer, additives for the steel, ceramic, ceramic tile, tiling and other industries.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: No investment licenses for new projects, only investment to expand and increase capacity of existing projects when needed.

Details of serpentine processing projects are in Appendix IV.16 attached.

20. Barite mineral

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: New exploration from 5 projects with target reserves of ≈ 2.5 million tons.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Not determined.

Details of barite exploration projects are in Appendix II.20 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain the operation of licensed projects, grant new exploitation licenses for 6 new projects in Lai Chau (1); Tuyen Quang (2); Cao Bang (3) with a total output target of ≈ 624,000 tons/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain production of licensed projects with total national output of ≈ 620,000 tons/year.

Details of barite mining projects are in Appendix III.20 attached.

c) Processing

- Period up to 2030: Maintain the operation of existing barite powder grinding factories, invest in 3 - 4 new barite powder grinding projects in Cao Bang (1); Lai Chau (1); Lang Son (1) with a total capacity of ≈ 330,000 tons/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Invest in expanding and increasing the capacity of licensed powder grinding projects with the target of reaching ≈ 430,000 tons/year.

Details of barite processing projects are in Appendix IV.17 attached.

21. Graphite minerals

a) Exploration

- Phase to 2030: Complete licensed exploration projects such as: An Binh - Yen Bai; Lang Khoai, Lang Ma, Bong 2 - Lao Cai with the target reserve of ≈ 2.5 million tons. Grant new exploration license in Yen Bai for 01 project in Lien Son area, Lang Thit commune, Van Yen district.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Additional exploration to upgrade the reserves of Van Yen mine, located in An Binh Dong Cuong commune, Ngoi A commune, and Yen Thai commune, Van Yen district with a target reserve of ≈ 1.3 million tons.

Details of graphite exploration projects are in Appendix II.21 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain the operation of licensed projects and license the exploitation of new mines after the exploration and reserve reports have been reported to ensure the total graphite exploitation capacity reaches ≈ 1,151,000 tons/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain operations of licensed mines with total mining output reaching ≈ 1.15 million tons/year.

Details of graphite mining projects are in Appendix III.21 attached.

c) Processing

- Phase up to 2030: Complete investment in licensed factories: Bao Ha graphite; Nam Thi graphite in Lao Cai; invest in 2 - 3 new projects with processing capacity of ≈ 110,000 tons/year of graphite with content > 99% to serve domestic needs.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain the operation of licensed projects with a total output of ≈ 110,000 tons of graphite with a content of > 99% to serve domestic needs.

Details of graphite processing projects are in Appendix IV.18 attached.

22. Fluorite mineral

Fluorite minerals are currently exploited independently at Xuan Lanh mine (Phu Yen) or as a by-product of other mineral exploitation projects such as Nui Phao polymetallic mine and rare earth mine.

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: New exploration in Khau Pha area, Thuong Quan commune, Ngan Son district, Bac Kan province. Exploration target 50,000 tons.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: New exploration when investors propose.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain licensed mining projects and recover fluorite from licensed mining projects with an output target of ≈ 450,000 tons/year.

Granting license for new mining project in Khau Pha area, Thuong Quan commune, Ngan Son district, Bac Kan province.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain mining output and recover fluorite from other mineral exploitation projects, consider new investments when investors propose.

Details of fluorite mining projects are in Appendix III.22 attached.

c) Processing

Phase 2021 - 2030 and after 2030: Maintain the operation of the existing fluorite processing plant and invest in 1 - 2 new projects along with rare earth mining and processing projects. Processing output depends on the mining capacity of other mineral projects, so it is not specifically determined.

New investment in Fluorite processing plant in Thuong Quan commune, Ngan Son district, Bac Kan province with capacity of ≈ 10,000 tons/year.

Details of fluorite processing projects are in Appendix IV.19 attached.

23. Bentonite minerals

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: Invest in exploration, expand and upgrade reserves of licensed mining projects to ensure operations for existing projects.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: New exploration as proposed by the investor to meet domestic demand.

Details of bentonite exploration projects are provided in Appendix II.23.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain operations of licensed projects, license 4-5 new projects with output target of ≈ 400,000 tons/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain operations of licensed mines, ensuring total output to meet domestic demand of ≈ 450,000 tons/year.

Details of bentonite mining projects are in Appendix III.23 attached.

c) Processing

- Period up to 2030: Maintain bentonite processing plants in Nha Ne - Binh Thuan; Tam Bo - Lam Dong and grant new investment licenses for 3 - 4 bentonite processing plant projects with a target output of ≈ 165,000 tons of bentonite/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: New investment or expansion to increase capacity of bentonite processing plants to meet output of ≈ 260,000 tons/year.

Details of bentonite processing projects are in Appendix IV.20 attached.

24. Diatomite mineral

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: grant new exploration licenses or expand exploration of licensed mines such as: Hoa Loc - Phu Yen; Dai Lao - Lam Dong with the target reserve of ≈ 25.3 million tons.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: License to expand exploration of Tuy Duong - Phu Yen mine with target reserves of ≈ 3,500,000 tons.

Details of diatomite exploration projects are in Appendix II.24 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain output of licensed projects and license new exploitation from 2 - 3 mines with the target output of ≈ 540,000 tons/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Invest in increasing the mining capacity of licensed mines or licensing new mining from 2 - 3 mines with the target of total output reaching ≈ 740,000 tons/year.

Details of diatomite mining projects are in Appendix III.24 attached.

c) Processing

Only invest in expanding existing diatomite grinding projects or invest in new grinding projects according to mining projects.

Details of diatomite processing projects are in Appendix IV.21 attached.

25. Talc minerals

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: Exploration and upgrading of reserves of licensed mining sites in the period before 2020 and new exploration from 7 investigated and evaluated mining sites in Phu Tho (2); Hoa Binh (2); Son La (2); Da Nang (1) with the target reserve reaching ≈ 4.3 million tons.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: New exploration of newly discovered mine sites during the mineral geological investigation and assessment process in the 2021 - 2030 period.

Details of talc exploration projects are in Appendix II.25 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain output of licensed mining projects such as: Ta Phu - Son La mine; Thu Ngac, Long Coc, Phu Tho province; Tan Minh, Hoa Binh province.

New investment in 09 mining projects that have been licensed for exploration and have approved reserves: Son La (2); Phu Tho (2); Hoa Binh (4); Da Nang (1) with a total capacity of ≈ 410,000 tons/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain output of licensed projects and invest in new exploitation of mines added to the planning with the target of total output reaching ≈ 450,000 tons/year.

Details of talc mining projects are in Appendix III.25 attached.

c) Processing

- Invest in building talc grinding plants along with newly licensed mining projects in the period 2021 - 2030 and after 2030.

- Maintain 01 existing factory in Phu Tho and invest in 04 new factories in the provinces of Phu Tho (1); Hoa Binh (1); Son La (1); Da Nang (1).

Details of talc processing projects are in Appendix IV.22 attached.

26. Mica minerals

a) Exploration and exploitation

In the period 2021 - 2030: Invest in new mica exploration and exploitation projects in Ban Mang area, Ban Ria commune, Quang Binh district and Na Chi commune, Xi Man district, Ha Giang province.

Post-2030 period: Undetermined.

b) Processing

Maintain existing mica grinding and selection projects in kaolin and feldspar to ensure capacity of ≈ 1,700 tons/year to supply the domestic market.

Details of mica exploration, exploitation and processing projects are in Appendix II.26; III.26 and IV.23 attached.

27. Pyrite mineral

Currently, there is no domestic demand for Pyrite minerals, so there is no planning. In the immediate future, it is recommended to include it in the national mineral reserve area.

In case an investor proposes exploration, exploitation and processing, it will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

28. Quartzite mineral

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: Grant new exploration licenses and upgrade exploration of reserves at 4 new mines in Lao Cai (2); Phu Tho (1); Thai Nguyen (1); with the target reserve reaching ≈ 23.8 million tons.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Continue to explore and expand licensed mining sites or explore 4 - 5 new mining sites discovered during the mineral geological investigation and assessment process in the 2021 - 2030 period with the target reserve of ≈ 28.4 million tons.

Details of quartz exploration projects are in Appendix II.28 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain the operation of licensed mines such as: Lang Lai - Thai Nguyen; Thuc Luyen (Don Vang) - Phu Tho; Huong Phong - Thua Thien Hue and grant new mining licenses for projects in Lao Cai (2); Thai Nguyen (1); Phu Tho (1); Ha Tinh (1) with the target of total output reaching ≈ 1.57 million tons/year.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Grant licenses to expand the capacity of licensed projects and grant licenses to exploit 5 - 10 new projects, increasing the total output to ≈ 1.82 million tons/year.

Details of quartzite mining projects are in Appendix III.28 attached.

c) Processing:

Quartz processing (crushing and selection) is invested according to the capacity of licensed mining projects in the period of 2021 - 2030 and after 2030 to meet the needs of economic sectors.

Details of quartz processing projects are in Appendix IV.24 attached.

29. Quartz minerals

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: Invest in new exploration from 22 new projects with the target of reaching reserves of ≈ 11.5 million tons in the provinces of Cao Bang (2); Lao Cai (1); Yen Bai (3); Bac Kan (7); Ha Tinh (3); Binh Dinh (3); Phu Yen (2).

- Period 2031 - 2050: Consider investing in expanding, upgrading reserves or investing in new exploration of 5 - 10 newly discovered mines to maintain mining output to serve the needs of the economy.

Details of quartz exploration projects are in Appendix II.29 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain licensed projects and grant new mining licenses from 23 mines after exploration and reserve reporting in Cao Bang (2); Lao Cai (2); Yen Bai (4); Bac Kan (7); Ha Tinh (3); Binh Dinh (3); Phu Yen (2) with a total output target of ≈ 1,130,000 tons/year.

- Period 2031 - 2050: Maintain output of ≈ 1,070,000 tons/year, can increase total output higher when the economy has demand.

Details of quartz mining projects are in Appendix III.29 attached.

c) Processing

Quartz processing (crushing and selection) is invested according to the capacity of licensed mining projects in the period of 2021 - 2030 and after 2030 to meet the needs of economic sectors.

Details of quartz processing projects are in Appendix IV.25 attached.

30. Sillimanite mineral

Currently, the country has 03 sillimanite mines identified through geological surveys, 01 mine with identified reserves is the Hung Nhuong graphite mine - Quang Ngai, the remaining 02 mines have not been explored.

During the period 2021 - 2030 and vision 2050, there will be no planning for the exploitation and processing of sillimanite and its inclusion in the national mineral reserve area.

31. Serisite mineral

Maintain the design capacity of the Son Binh serisite mining project, Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province according to the license of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

New investment in 02 projects for mining and selecting serisite ore in Bac Yen district, Son La province, with total new investment capacity from 70,000 - 130,000 tons/year.

Supplement new planning for exploration and exploitation projects when new mines are discovered and have been investigated, evaluated, and have a market for product consumption.

During the period 2021 - 2030 and vision 2050, maintain exploitation and processing of projects invested before 2030 and invest in projects when new discoveries are made.

Details of sericite mining and processing projects are in Appendix III.29 and IV.26 attached.

32. Vermiculite mineral

Supplement new planning for exploration and exploitation projects when mines are investigated and evaluated as having potential and have a market for product consumption.

In the period 2021 - 2030 and vision 2050, planning to exploit Son Thuy - Tan Thuong vermiculite mine, Son Thuy commune, Van Ban district, Lao Cai province.

Details of vermiculite mining projects are in Appendix III.30 attached.

33. Mineral water and natural hot water

a) Exploration

- Period up to 2030: New exploration of ≈ 150 mine points (boreholes) with the goal of exploiting ≈ 56,990m3 of mineral water/day and night to serve the needs of resort tourism and drinking water in: Ha Giang (4); Tuyen Quang (5); Lai Chau (21); Son La (1); Hoa Binh (12); Dien Bien (6); Hanoi (1); Phu Tho (6); Yen Bai (19); Bac Kan (1); Hung Yen (5); Thai Binh (6); Ninh Binh (2); Thanh Hoa (5); Nghe An (1); Ha Tinh (1); Thua Thien Hue (5); Quang Tri (1); Da Nang (2); Quang Nam (8); Binh Dinh (8); Phu Yen (4); Khanh Hoa (8); Binh Thuan (2); Kon Tum (2); Long An (4); Tien Giang (3),...

- Phase after 2031 - 2050: Depending on the needs, licenses will be granted upon proposal.

Details of the exploration projects are in Appendix II.31 attached.

b) Exploitation

- Period up to 2030: Maintain the operation of 66 licensed mining points (exploitation boreholes) and grant new mining licenses for 166 mining points (exploitation boreholes) with a total exploitation output of ≈ 80,000 m3 of mineral water/day and night.

- Phase 2031 - 2050: Maintain drilling holes nationwide to meet the needs of resort tourism and bottled drinking water. Consider issuing new licenses when needed.

Details of mineral water and natural hot water exploitation projects are in Appendix III.31 attached.

c) Processing: Producing bottled water and exploiting it to serve the needs of bathing and relaxing, no processing projects are planned.

III. PLANNING FOR USE OF MINERALS

Exploration planning projects are linked to exploitation planning projects, exploitation projects are planned to provide raw materials for processing projects according to the balance of market demand.

1. For metal minerals: Raw minerals after mining, through selection for enrichment, separation of components (if polymetallic minerals) into refined ore meeting the prescribed standards according to the requirements for each processing technology to supply to projects/processing plants for production into metal products, alloys or intermediate products listed in Table 3 to supply domestic demand and export.

- Gypsum bauxite minerals in the Central Highlands: Exploiting and selecting refined ores to supply alumina factories. Alumina and hydroxide products provide raw materials for aluminum electrolysis plants, other domestic needs and exports. Diaspo bauxite minerals in the Northern provinces are exploited and selected into refined ores to supply grinding stone factories... and the Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for considering the export according to the proposal of the People's Committee of the province or city where the mine is located based on the balance of domestic supply and demand.

- For products processed from rare earth ores: Total rare earth (oxide, hydroxide, salt) with TREO content ≥ 95% and separate rare earth oxide (REO) to supply domestic demand and consider for export.

2. For non-metallic minerals: Raw minerals after mining, through one or more stages such as classification, crushing, screening, washing, chemical selection... into classified products, enriched to meet standards according to usage requirements or as raw materials for further processing stages or raw materials, additives for other domestic and export industries.

For minerals such as mineral water and natural hot water, exploit them to produce bottled mineral water, serve domestic nursing, medical and tourism facilities and geothermal resources to produce electricity (if any) and other fields.

3. Mineral export: Mined and processed minerals mainly meet domestic demand. The export of some minerals/mineral products after processing that have not yet become metals or alloys is carried out in accordance with the policies and laws of each specific period and the direction of competent authorities.

IV. INVESTMENT CAPITAL NEEDS

1. Total investment capital requirement

The total expected investment capital for projects to explore, exploit and process minerals in the planning is shown in the table below:

Table 5: Summary of investment capital for projects, exploration, exploitation and mineral processing

TT	Investment target	New investment capital needs (billion VND)
Phase 2021 - 2030	Phase 2031 - 2050	Total
1	Investment in exploration	4 049	668	4 717
2	Investment in exploitation	57 500	33 770	91 270
3	Investment in processing	378 751	186 496	565 247
4	Investment in planning and announcement	181	95	275
	Total	440 480	221 229	661 709

Details of capital for exploration, exploitation and processing of minerals are stated in Appendix V attached to this Decision.

2. Investment capital

- Capital for exploration: From the enterprise's self-arranged capital.

- Capital for exploitation and processing: Self-arranged capital of enterprises, domestic and foreign commercial loans, capital mobilized through the stock market, issuance of corporate bonds and other legal capital sources.

D. ORIENTATION FOR LAND USE ARRANGEMENT FOR MINING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

I. ORIENTATION FOR LAND USE ARRANGATION

Land demand for mineral exploitation development is about 190,000 hectares in the period of 2021 - 2030 and about 305,000 hectares in the period of 2031 - 2050, basically consistent with the land allocation target in Resolution No. 39/2021/QH15, to ensure the implementation of economic development goals.

II. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATION

1. For investors

- Transportation: Investors of mineral exploitation and processing projects must base on the needs of the project to plan the construction of a system of collector roads to connect with expressways and national highways at certain locations. The connection locations must be approved by competent state management agencies before implementation.

- Electricity and water supply: Investors of mineral exploitation and processing projects must register for use with state management agencies based on project needs and must be approved before implementing the project.

2. State management

- Synchronously invest in transport infrastructure and comprehensive seaports to serve the development of mineral exploitation and processing suitable for each development stage.

- Continue to upgrade and invest in new traffic routes and national power grids for remote areas and concentrated industrial zones to serve the development of mineral projects and socio-economic development of the region.

III. ORIENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WORK

With the goal of green growth, developing a circular economy and strongly transforming from brown to green strategy, the orientation on environmental protection needs to address the following issues:

1. Promote the application of advanced technologies, green technologies, economical use and recovery of resources; recycling technology to effectively use waste ores, tailings, and poor ores.

2. Collect and thoroughly treat all types of waste generated in production; recycle and reuse to the maximum for production and supply to the needs of other economic sectors, gradually forming a circular economy.

3. Prevent, minimize and overcome incidents and environmental risks in mineral exploitation and processing projects.

4. Rehabilitate and restore the environment of mineral mines immediately after completion in the direction of integrating environmental regeneration and restoration with the development of green projects for socio-economic development (high-tech agricultural zones, eco-tourism services, residential areas...) and environmentally friendly economic sectors.

5. Thoroughly overcome the dust generation in production that affects the environment and residents during the mineral exploitation and processing process. Improve the environmental landscape of mineral production areas to ensure green - clean - beautiful, contributing to protecting the common environment.

6. Proactively adapt to climate change, ensure safe disposal sites, minimize soil and rock erosion, prevent flooding risks; reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and limit the impact of climate change.

IV. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORIENTATION

1. Continue to effectively implement phase 2 of the Project on innovation and modernization of technology in the mining industry by 2025 approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 259/QD-TTg dated February 22, 2017.

2. Promote research, transfer, acquisition, application of advanced science and technology, conversion of technology and equipment in the stages of exploration, exploitation, mineral processing, environmental protection for each group/type of mineral towards a green production model.

3. For the Central Highlands bauxite, titanium, rare earth, Thanh Hoa chromite, Lao Cai apatite, Binh Thuan titanium, Son La nickel, copper - gold, other large-scale mineral mines/mining clusters such as Thach Khe iron mine, Lao Cai copper mine... it is necessary to form a mining complex associated with processing, applying advanced technology and modern equipment.

D. SOLUTIONS AND RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN

I. LEGAL AND POLICY SOLUTIONS

1. Continue to review, amend, supplement and perfect the State's mechanisms, policies and laws on minerals to overcome shortcomings and limitations, create favorable conditions for enterprises to invest in mineral exploitation and processing projects, enhance the role and responsibility of state management levels from central to local levels and enterprises.

2. Quickly complete the review and assessment of the Mineral Law and promulgate the Mineral Law (amended).

3. Research and amend land policies and related laws in the direction that the area of ​​land exploited for mineral exploitation will be returned immediately after completing the post-exploitation land reclamation work or having other socio-economic development projects integrating land reclamation and environmental restoration work in the mineral exploitation project according to the land use planning approved by competent authorities, to increase the efficiency of land use according to the circular economic model suitable to the characteristics of each type of mineral.

4. Research and propose to improve investment efficiency, including cooperation with foreign partners with experience, capital, and markets from exploration, exploitation, and processing.

5. Complete and supplement legal policies to facilitate exploration and exploitation projects associated with mineral processing projects. Strictly control exploration and exploitation activities in compliance with legal policies on minerals and the environment, ensuring labor safety.

6. For minerals such as bauxite, titanium, chromite,... mineral exploitation licenses are only granted when enterprises invest in deep processing projects directly linked to the mine.

7. Mineral exploitation and processing: Encourage the accumulation of resources from small-scale mines/mining points into large-scale mines/mining clusters for synchronous investment in mineral exploration, exploitation, and processing, applying modern technology.

8. Finance: Review and promptly adjust taxes, fees and charges appropriately, ensuring harmony of interests between the State, enterprises and local people where minerals are exploited.

9. Science and technology: Prioritize science and technology capital to research and apply effective processing technology for mineral resources.

10. Have policies to support businesses when implementing business restructuring policies.

11. Have reasonable policies for people whose residential land and production land are recovered.

12. Resource Management:

- Improve the quality of investigation, exploration and assessment of resource reserves.

- Fully and publicly collect statistics on exploitation, processing, and resource loss data and promptly build a mineral resource database, sharing information to serve resource planning and management.

- Prioritize granting mining licenses to meet raw material sources for mineral processing projects that have been and are being invested in.

13. State management:

- Strengthen coordination between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and provincial People's Committees in licensing mineral activities and providing information on the situation of exploitation and processing after licensing.

- For some large-scale, strategic minerals and mines such as bauxite, titanium, rare earth, nickel, copper, gold, chromite, before granting a license for mineral exploration and exploitation, the mineral licensing authority is responsible for consulting with the state management agency on planning, exploitation, and processing regarding the conformity with the planning and the supply-demand situation.

- For mineral processing projects, the investment registration authority shall consult with the mineral planning management authority on the conformity with the planning, the conformity of technology, equipment, post-processed products, and the requirements for mineral raw materials for processing before granting a license. Investors in deep processing projects are selected according to the provisions of the Investment Law, the Bidding Law, and relevant laws, and are granted mining and exploration licenses according to the approved Plan or according to the Resolution/Decision of the Politburo, the National Assembly, and the Prime Minister (if any).

- Publicly announce the boundary coordinates of planning projects. Strengthen inspection, examination, exploitation and processing activities to protect mine boundaries and newly discovered mines and national mineral resource reserve areas according to the provisions of the Law on Minerals and the Law on Public Asset Management.

- Restructuring small-scale enterprises, using limited resources, outdated technology, high resource loss and causing environmental pollution; exploitation not linked to the location of use to form enterprises of sufficiently large scale, concentrated exploitation and processing with advanced technology, ensuring labor safety and environmental friendliness in the forms of mergers, joint ventures, associations, and transfer of mineral operation licenses.

II. FINANCIAL AND INVESTMENT SOLUTIONS

1. Finance: Review and promptly adjust taxes, fees and charges appropriately, ensuring harmony of interests between the State, enterprises and local people where minerals are exploited.

2. Investment: Promote internal resources, encourage domestic enterprises with sufficient capacity to play a key role in exploring, exploiting and processing strategic minerals with large reserves. Diversify investment capital sources through capital contributions, shares, joint ventures and other credit sources.

III. SCIENTIFIC, TECHNOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS

1. Invest in technological innovation, use advanced equipment in mining, selecting and processing minerals to save resources, save energy, ensure labor safety and protect the environment.

2. Promote scientific research in the exploitation, selection, processing and use of minerals to maximize the recovery of minerals and associated minerals to provide raw materials for other industries and serve economic sectors.

3. Prioritize science and technology capital to research and apply effective processing technology for mineral resources.

4. With mineral exploration and exploitation activities, it is necessary to promote specific mineral exploration techniques in the direction of the best possible technology and techniques in Vietnam, ensuring suitability with local realities, effectiveness in preventing and controlling pollution, minimizing negative impacts on the environment and ecosystem.

5. In mineral processing and utilization activities, it is necessary to focus on applying advanced science and technology in the operation process towards circular economy, green economy and low carbon. Focus on developing scientific research, innovating environmentally friendly technology to effectively process mineral resources, save energy and minimize waste.

IV. SOLUTIONS ON PROPAGANDA AND AWARENESS RAISING

1. Promote propaganda and dissemination of policies, laws on minerals, and publicize planning for all types of minerals.

2. Raise awareness of the role and laws on minerals; strengthen community supervision of mineral activities in the area; publicize and make transparent the revenues and use of revenue sources of mineral enterprises.

3. Media agencies coordinate with ministries, branches and People's Committees of provinces with mineral activities, especially sensitive minerals such as bauxite, iron... to promptly provide information to ensure objectivity and honesty, and prevent incitement, enticement and distortion by reactionary organizations aimed at opposing the policies of the Party and State of Vietnam.

V. SOLUTIONS ON TRAINING AND CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT

1. Focus on investing in innovation and modernization of training and research equipment for educational institutions, specialized research facilities, key laboratories, improving the capacity and quality of scientific research with support from the state budget and socialization.

2. Strengthen cooperation between domestic schools, scientific research facilities, and laboratories with international training facilities and research facilities to train graduate students, specialists, and skilled workers; provide high-quality training, research, and laboratory equipment.

3. Enhance the leading role of research institutes and universities to promote scientific and technological research, environmental protection, application in mineral exploration, exploitation and processing activities, and human resource training to meet the requirements of applying advanced and environmentally friendly science and technology.

VI. SOLUTIONS ON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

1. Promote scientific and technical cooperation, technology transfer in exploration, exploitation, processing and use, environmental protection, labor safety and application of information technology in management, mineral resource administration, monitoring, forecasting, environmental administration, automatic control to improve efficiency, reduce resource loss, improve labor productivity, product quality and ensure the environment.

2. Cooperate in investing in mineral exploitation and processing projects that require high technology and advanced, modern equipment, ensure the environment and have a market for product consumption. Limit cooperation, joint ventures, associations, and sale of shares to foreign investors for mining and mineral selection projects.

VII. CAPITAL MOBILIZATION SOLUTIONS

Investment capital for mineral exploration, exploitation and processing projects, in addition to a portion of the state budget, is mainly guaranteed by enterprises themselves with their own capital, commercial loans (mainly) on the financial market, capital mobilized from other sources such as the stock market,... specifically:

1. State budget

- Invest capital in projects to investigate and evaluate the potential of mineral resources; explore some types of toxic and radioactive minerals.

- Establish, adjust, build and manage data on mineral planning.

- Provide financial support for scientific research activities, application of mineral selection and processing technology to comprehensively, economically and effectively use non-renewable mineral resources in accordance with the National Key Science and Technology Program serving innovation and modernization of mineral exploitation and processing technology approved by the Prime Minister.

2. Mobilizing capital in the international market: For some special projects, large-scale, modern technology, piloting deep processing investment as a premise for developing a synchronous production chain, sustainable development of large-scale resources, the Government will consider supporting enterprises through loan guarantees according to the law.

3. Mobilizing other capital sources: Mobilizing capital from domestic and foreign organizations, individuals and enterprises in compliance with legal regulations.

VIII. SOLUTIONS TO MEET HUMAN RESOURCES

1. Develop a plan to recruit and train human resources in accordance with the industry requirements and development progress of mineral exploitation and processing projects, especially highly skilled technical personnel operating machinery and equipment for mineral exploitation and processing with advanced technology and access to new technology.

2. Focus on recruiting and training local workers, especially in mountainous areas with difficult and extremely difficult socio-economic conditions.

3. Have policies to attract high-quality human resources and provide preferential treatment for mining workers, especially underground mining workers.

4. Focus on taking care of the material and spiritual life of workers.

5. Link the mine with domestic and international training facilities, have policies for recruiting, training to improve skills, provide bridging training or send workers abroad for training with high-quality labor, committed to the profession.

6. For the staff, civil servants and public employees in charge of mineral and metallurgy management, it is necessary to recruit and arrange people with expertise and practical experience; supplement and update legal knowledge on natural resources and environment and related laws. It is especially necessary to strengthen the staff, civil servants and public employees at the local level.

Article 2. Implementation

1. Ministry of Industry and Trade

a) Be responsible for the accuracy of data, documents, diagrams, maps and databases in the Planning Document, ensuring consistency with the content of this Decision.

b) Organize the announcement of the planning according to regulations and implement this Decision in conjunction with the implementation of socio-economic development tasks according to the provisions of law; develop a plan to implement the planning based on the criteria and arguments specified in this Decision to implement the objectives and tasks set out in the planning; organize the assessment of the implementation of the planning according to the provisions of the Law on Planning.

c) Preside over and coordinate with ministries, branches, People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities to promulgate the Planning, guide implementation, review, evaluate, inspect, check, and supervise the implementation of the Planning, propose to supplement and adjust the contents of the Planning that are really necessary to ensure the provisions of the Law on Planning and the Law on Minerals, in implementing investment procedures for projects to exploit and process minerals in compliance with the Planning.

d) Periodically review and evaluate the implementation results of the Plan; update information and propose additions and adjustments to the Plan when necessary.

d) Research and develop and submit to competent authorities for promulgation or promulgate regulations on conditions for mines permitted for exploitation after basic construction work is completed; strictly manage the business sector, mineral circulation, standards and regulations on the level of processing for each group/type of minerals under its authority in accordance with reality; research and develop a project on basic materials serving the industry.

e) Organize the construction, regular updating, long-term storage, preservation and public sharing of the database in the national information system and database on this Planning.

2. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

a) Promote basic investigation of minerals in potential areas such as the Northwest, Northeast, North Central, Central Highlands and coastal areas, especially minerals distributed in deep areas. Identify and add areas of minerals that have not been mobilized in the planning to the list of national mineral reserve areas, develop the socio-economic development of localities, and submit to the Prime Minister for approval.

b) Coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant provincial People's Committees in granting mineral exploitation licenses according to mineral planning, ensuring that mineral exploitation projects use advanced technology, ensure labor safety, protect the environment and must be associated with deep processing projects.

c) Closely coordinate with the Ministries of Industry and Trade, Finance, Planning and Investment in managing mineral activities; share information and databases on resources and mineral activities of enterprises and projects after licensing.

d) Research and amend land policies and laws to increase the socio-economic efficiency of mineral exploitation projects such as: site clearance policies, land use policies after mineral exploitation.

d) Preside over and coordinate with local authorities in inspecting and examining compliance with environmental protection regulations for mineral exploitation and processing projects; strictly handle projects that do not comply with environmental protection laws.

e) Preside over the construction, updating and sharing of database systems on reserves, resources of various types of minerals, and mineral activities of enterprises and projects after licensing.

3. Ministry of Science and Technology

a) Preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in managing technology transfer activities, manufacturing equipment for mineral exploitation and processing; applying advanced technology, mechanization, automatic control, synchronization of equipment, improving productivity and quality of exploitation and processing of minerals.

b) Focus on investing in scientific research to serve the completion and promulgation of a system of national technical standards and regulations, technical regulations, and improve the effectiveness of management, exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals.

c) Consolidate and improve the scientific and technological potential of organizations in the field, meet the needs of research, basic investigation and geological exploration of minerals and environmental geology, build a network of scientific and technological organizations in the field with the capacity to integrate internationally, closely linked with education - training, production - business. Improve the quality and efficiency of scientific and technological activities, promote international cooperation, absorb and apply new and modern technologies and scientific and technical advances in the world.

4. Ministry of Finance

a) Preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to study and propose policies on taxes and fees suitable to the characteristics of the mineral exploitation, processing and use industry; strengthen the management of financial revenue sources, ensure correct and sufficient collection for mineral activities in general and minerals according to the Planning in particular.

b) Allocate capital for research topics and projects serving the mineral exploitation, processing and use industry.

5. Ministry of Construction

a) Take the lead in researching and developing a project to produce construction materials and unburnt materials from waste materials and sludge collected during and after mineral processing, promoting the use of minerals economically, effectively and environmentally.

b) Research, develop, promulgate under authority or submit to competent authorities for promulgation standards and regulations for raw materials such as waste materials and sludge collected during and after the process of mining and processing minerals to be used as raw materials for the production of construction materials.

6. Relevant ministries and branches: Coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to effectively implement the Planning.

7. People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities with mineral activities

a) Closely coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in organizing the implementation and management of mineral planning.

b) Coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to review and evaluate the current investment status of projects and enterprises exploiting and processing minerals in the area; attract investment to promote investment in mineral processing projects on schedule and effectively.

c) Strengthen inspection and supervision of mineral activities in the area; prevent illegal mining and export of minerals. Handle or recommend competent authorities to thoroughly handle mineral mining and processing facilities that do not meet technical safety requirements and cause environmental pollution.

d) Promote propaganda and dissemination of policies and laws on minerals when implementing the Planning in the area; mobilize small-scale enterprises to implement the policy of restructuring enterprises.

d) Based on the scale of the mine, localities are allowed to self-adjust land use needs according to local land use planning for mine auxiliary works as a basis for implementation.

e) Based on the socio-economic development strategy goals of the locality, the People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities are allowed to implement technical infrastructure projects for national and public interests according to Article 62 of the Land Law in mineral areas approved in this Decision according to the principle of recovering and protecting mineral resources, complying with the provisions of the Mineral Law, the Planning Law and relevant laws.

g) Coordinate planning management according to the following principles:

- Develop regulations for coordinating the management of mineral planning between ministries, ministries, localities, and neighboring localities.

- Localities with similar geography and socio-economic conditions need to have common mineral policies (especially investment and business projects operating in two or more localities).

- Planning management agencies, licensing agencies, and tax agencies closely coordinate in managing exploration, exploitation, and processing projects before, during, and after licensing.

- Do not hinder the effective transportation of minerals from the mining site to the centralized processing site (minerals can be transported from the locality with the mining site to another locality for processing). There is a policy to ensure benefit sharing for localities with resources.

Article 3. This Decision comes into force from the date of signing, replacing decisions approving planning and documents, decisions supplementing and adjusting planning issued by competent authorities before the date of this Decision.

Projects that are being implemented and have submitted applications for licensing to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment before the effective date of this Decision shall continue to be implemented according to the planning.

Article 4. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of Government agencies, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities and relevant agencies are responsible for implementing this Decision.

Recipient: - Central Party Secretariat; - Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers; - Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government agencies; - People's Councils and People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities; - Central Office and Party Committees; - Office of the General Secretary; - Office of the President; - Council of Nationalities and Committees of the National Assembly; - Office of the National Assembly; - Supreme People's Court; - Supreme People's Procuracy; - State audit; - National Financial Supervision Commission; - Social Policy Bank; - Vietnam Development Bank; - Central Committee of Vietnam Fatherland Front; - Central agencies of organizations; - Corporations: Vietnam Electricity, Vietnam Oil and Gas, Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industry; - Government Office: BTCN, PCNs, Assistant to the Prime Minister, General Director of the Government Portal, Departments, Bureaus, Official Gazette; - Save: VT, CN (2)

Prime Minister DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Tran Hong Ha

Nguyen Duyen

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