Why did a series of businesses that won the sand mine auction in Quang Ngai ask to return it?

Many businesses that won the auction of sand mines in Quang Ngai province asked to return them because the unit price for calculating resource tax on construction sand has increased compared to before.

According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Ngai, the reason given by the enterprises paying the mines was that at the time of the auction, the unit price for calculating resource tax on construction sand in the area was 150,000 VND/m3. However, at the end of 2023, the People's Committee of Quang Ngai province issued the Price List for calculating resource tax in 2024 (effective from January 1, 2024) to 230,000 VND/m3, an increase of 80,000 VND/m3 compared to before.

Meanwhile, according to regulations, the auction winning money is calculated after completing the documents and licensing procedures; therefore, if calculated according to the new resource tax unit price, the unit price of each cubic meter of sand according to the auction winning results will increase, not ensuring the feasibility to continue implementing the project, so the enterprises have returned the mine.

After receiving many recommendations from businesses, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Ngai consulted with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, coordinated with agencies and units to review, determine, and notify businesses that paying auction winnings according to the current annual resource tax price is in accordance with regulations (including cases of multiple payments).

Previously, the People's Committee of Quang Ngai province assigned the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to identify and notify enterprises to strictly comply with the payment of winning auction fees for mineral exploitation rights in accordance with regulations.

Regarding the petition of enterprises on canceling the auction results of sand mining rights, the People's Committee of Quang Ngai province agreed and assigned the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to preside over and coordinate with agencies, units, and localities to review and advise the Provincial People's Committee to consider and cancel the auction results of sand mining rights according to the wishes of enterprises, ensuring compliance with regulations.

At the same time, research effective solutions to overcome the situation of winning the auction but requesting to cancel the results, which risks causing an imbalance in supply and demand, pushing up the price of construction sand materials in the province.

It is known that at the end of 2023, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Ngai successfully organized an auction for the right to exploit 5 sand mines for common construction materials, with a total estimated resource reserve of more than 415,000m3, for 4 enterprises, the results of which were recognized by the People's Committee of Quang Ngai province.

According to regulations, after winning the auction, within 6 months, mine owners must complete the documents and procedures to send to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment for appraisal, submit to the People's Committee of Quang Ngai province for exploration license, reserve approval and mining license.

However, up to now, 4/5 mine owners have returned the auction results, only one mine has prepared documents to obtain an exploration license. The group of businesses that returned the mines have all been administratively fined 15 million VND for exceeding the prescribed time but not submitting documents for exploration license and not receiving their deposit back. The procedure to cancel the auction results is being completed by the professional agency of Quang Ngai province.

Specifically, 4 enterprises returned sand mines that won the auction, including: Ngoc Anh Duong Consulting and Construction Company Limited, returned sand mine in Nhon Loc 1 village, Hanh Tin Dong commune, Nghia Hanh district - area 4.2 ha, forecast resource 63,000 m3; Hop Nhat Investment Development Joint Stock Company returned sand mine in Dong My village, Nghia Hiep commune, Tu Nghia district (3.26 ha - 65,200 m3); Sao Viet Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company returned two mines, one mine in The Binh village, Nghia Hiep commune, Tu Nghia district (5.9 ha - 93,263 m3) and sand mine in My Hoa village, Nghia My commune, Tu Nghia district (3.58 - 71,600 m3).

In the group of 5 mines successfully auctioned, only the sand mine in Ngan Giang village, Tinh Ha commune, Son Tinh district of Thien Phu Thinh Construction and Environment Company Limited, with an area of 6.14 hectares and an estimated reserve of 122,800 m3, is undergoing procedures to prepare documents for an exploration license.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/vi-sao-loat-doanh-nghiep-trung-dau-gia-mo-cat-o-quang-ngai-xin-tra-lai-d223824.html