The Bill on Geology and Minerals is eligible to be submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Chairman of the Committee for Science , Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy said: The development and promulgation of the Law on Geology and Minerals must meet the requirements of fully institutionalizing the Party's viewpoints, guidelines and policies; contribute to perfecting the legal corridor for geological and mineral activities, ensuring consistency and unity with the legal system, in accordance with international treaties and commitments to which our country is a member; overcome the shortcomings, limitations and inadequacies of the current Law on Minerals; contribute to ensuring the economical and effective management and use of minerals, towards the goal of sustainable development.

Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy delivered the opening speech at the meeting. Photo: MONRE.

According to the Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, in performing the task of chairing the review of the draft law as assigned by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly , the Standing Committee of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment conducted surveys in a number of localities; organized international seminars, expert discussions and research on the draft law.

On April 17, the Standing Committee of the Committee held a preliminary review meeting of the draft Law on Geology and Minerals to report to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for consideration and comments on this draft law, scheduled for April 23.

Representative of the agency in charge of drafting the Law on Geology and Minerals, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Quy Kien said that after 13 years of implementing the Law on Minerals 2010, the system of legal documents on minerals is basically complete, contributing to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of state management of minerals; promoting geological surveys of minerals and the mining industry; and increasingly stricter and more effective mineral management. Many important policies still retain their value and continue to be inherited.

However, in the process of implementing the law, there are still some shortcomings and limitations such as: The Law on Minerals has not yet regulated state management of geology, especially unified management according to specialized standards and regulations; especially, there is no unified management of geological information and data as stated in Resolution 10-NQ/TW dated February 10, 2022 of the Politburo on strategic orientation of geology, minerals and mining industry to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

At the same time, administrative procedures for licensing minerals for use as landfill materials are still complicated; mineral objects have not been classified to apply corresponding and appropriate administrative procedures (the procedures for landfill mines must be implemented like those of gold mines). In addition, the collection of licensing fees based on licensed mineral reserves is not appropriate.

In his closing speech, Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy said that the Committee agreed that the draft law is qualified to be submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration by the National Assembly according to current regulations.

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