Controversy over auction of mineral exploitation rights in 19 areas in Kon Tum

On December 25, Kon Tum Property Auction Service Center (under Kon Tum Department of Justice) temporarily suspended the auction of mineral exploitation rights.

On November 26, Kon Tum Property Auction Service Center announced the auction of mineral exploitation rights for 19 areas (15 sand exploitation areas, 2 soil exploitation areas, 2 stone exploitation areas), under the 2024 Mineral Exploitation Rights Auction Plan in Kon Tum province. The starting price of 19 mineral areas is over 14.3 billion VND. This price does not include survey and exploration fees, reserve assessment, etc.

After the business complained, Kon Tum Property Auction Service Center announced the temporary suspension of mineral exploitation rights auctions in 19 areas.

Many businesses have submitted documents and deposits to participate in the auction of mineral exploitation rights. The price announcement was scheduled for the morning of December 19, but was later postponed to December 25.

However, on December 24, a number of enterprises unexpectedly received notice that they were not eligible to participate in the auction. Among them, Nhat Manh Private Enterprise (Dak To district, registered to auction the right to exploit sand mines) was not eligible to participate because it did not have documents proving its capacity to explore minerals and meet the regulations of organizations and individuals exploring minerals or exploiting minerals.

Immediately, the enterprise sent a petition to the Kon Tum Provincial Property Auction Service Center and the Kon Tum Department of Natural Resources and Environment to review and evaluate objectively and in accordance with regulations the enterprise's documents, qualifications, and conditions for participating in the auction.

The company also stated that the auction regulations did not clearly and specifically specify the components of the bidding documents. Therefore, it is inappropriate to assume that the company does not have documents proving its capacity to conduct mineral exploration. Since submitting the bidding documents, the company has not received any notice or instructions regarding missing or incomplete documents.

In the auction documents, the enterprise committed that after winning the auction for the exploitation rights, it will sign a contract with a unit with full exploration capacity to prepare a dossier requesting the competent authority to grant an exploration license, and will comply with all requirements of the state agency inviting the auction.

After the enterprise submitted a petition, on the afternoon of December 24, the Kon Tum Department of Justice commented, "recommending that the Kon Tum Department of Natural Resources and Environment only organize an auction for mineral exploitation rights after resolving complaints and related issues."

Kon Tum Department of Natural Resources and Environment has sent a document to Kon Tum Province Property Auction Service Center requesting to temporarily suspend the auction. After resolving the complaint and related issues, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment will notify the unit to organize the auction according to regulations.

Therefore, Mr. Dinh Xuan Thuy, Director of Kon Tum Property Auction Service Center, signed a notice to temporarily suspend the price announcement session and sent it to auction participants.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/lum-xum-dau-gia-quyen-khai-thac-khoang-san-19-khu-vuc-o-kon-tum-196241225102214352.htm