Delegation of National Assembly of Nghe An province surveys the implementation of the Law on Minerals

Identify the existence

Working with the People's Committee of Quy Hop district, the provincial National Assembly delegation acknowledged the locality's activeness and focus in implementing the Law on Minerals; strengthening the propaganda, dissemination and education of mineral laws; and at the same time implementing many solutions and measures for state management, increasingly creating positive changes in mineral activities in the area.

Besides, many shortcomings and difficulties in state management of mineral activities and processing in the area were also reflected by Quy Hop district.

It is noteworthy that the area has large mineral exploitation activities with 83 licensed mines with expired licenses, 158 mineral processing factories, 6 industrial clusters, 6 concentrated stone processing zones and many areas with unlicensed minerals that need to be protected.

However, the staff for performing state management tasks is thin (the district Department of Natural Resources and Environment has 5 staff). On the other hand, there are no support tools for inspection and supervision...

Therefore, it is recommended that the Central Government consider clearly defining specific mechanisms for localities with minerals that need to be managed, such as adding more human resources, providing necessary means, equipment, machinery, and funding to serve the work and having a special subsidy regime for officials working in mineral management. At the same time, consider assigning the responsibility of protecting unexploited minerals to the police force at all levels, while local state management agencies are the coordinating units to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.

Quy Hop District proposed that the National Assembly should also clearly define the rights of localities where minerals are exploited at the district and commune levels. Regulate the percentage of total budget revenue from mineral activities that localities enjoy; avoid the situation that has been stipulated in Decree 158/2016/ND-CP but is not effectively implemented.

Quy Hop district made some comments on the draft Law on Geology and Minerals related to the rights and responsibilities of localities, communities, households and individuals where geological resources and minerals are exploited; on mineral activities, mineral recovery, mineral processing, etc.

At the end of the meeting, comrade Thai Thi An Chung - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation highly appreciated the focused leadership and direction in implementing legal regulations on minerals, and strengthening state management in the area more and more closely.

Sharing that mineral management activities are facing many difficulties, obstacles, shortcomings and limitations; the Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation requested that the locality continue to strengthen its responsibility and coordinate better with all levels and sectors to create greater efficiency in mineral management in the area.

Based on the actual survey from enterprises and listening to the reflections and proposals of the Quy Hop district government, the Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation affirmed: The Provincial National Assembly Delegation is responsible for receiving, synthesizing, and researching to report to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration and revision of the draft Law on Geology and Minerals; at the same time, participating in giving opinions at the National Assembly sessions discussing the draft Law on Geology and Minerals.

Recommendations from mining enterprises

Before working with the District People's Committee, in the morning, the National Assembly Delegation of Nghe An province conducted a direct survey of some mining sites in Chau Quang and Tho Hop communes; at the same time, they collected comments on the draft Law on Geology and Minerals from a number of enterprises.

Of particular interest is the proposal to “loosen” the licensing of remaining small scattered mineral areas located between licensed mines to ensure safety in mining for surrounding mines. Expired mines that other businesses want to exploit all mineral resources need a specific mechanism to exploit minerals to avoid waste. At the same time, research should apply the method of calculating mining capacity according to the planned exploitation period of 3-5 years.

Enterprises also commented on mineral classification; adjusted mineral planning; clarified the recovery rate of minerals in group II (materials in the construction industry), but did not need to adjust the license; added regulations on training and fostering programs on mining techniques for open-pit mining executives.