Consolidated Document number 07/VBHN-BCT Circular stipulating technical safety regulations for mineral extraction

CIRCULAR

On technical safety regulations in mineral exploitation

Circular No. 43/2025/TT-BCT dated July 4, 2025, of the Minister of Industry and Trade on technical safety regulations in mineral exploitation, which takes effect from July 4, 2025, has been amended and supplemented by:

Circular No. 67/2025/TT-BCT dated December 31, 2025, of the Minister of Industry and Trade amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 43/2025/TT-BCT dated July 4, 2025, of the Minister of Industry and Trade on technical safety regulations in mineral exploitation, which takes effect from December 31, 2025.

Pursuant to Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP dated July 2, 2025, of the Government detailing some articles and implementing mechanisms of the Law on Geology and Mineral Resources;

Pursuant to Decree No. 40/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Industry and Trade;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Safety Technology and Industrial Environment;

The Minister of Industry and Trade promulgates this Circular on technical safety regulations in mineral exploitation.

Chapter I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the standards for management and production operation positions in mineral exploitation; training and issuing certificates for technical safety training in mineral exploitation; approval for the initial operation of equipment systems and means in underground mine exploitation; classification of underground mines according to the level of danger caused by methane fire and explosion; contents of emergency response team training..

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to organizations, individuals, and state management agencies related to technical safety in mineral exploitation.

Article 3. Definitions

1. Management and production operation personnel refers to those assigned responsibility for managing a specific field of expertise or directing production in a section of a mineral exploitation mine. This includes one of the following personnel: Mine Safety Engineer, Department Head, Shift Supervisor, Shift Leader.

2. Mine Safety Engineer refers to the person assigned by the organization or enterprise engaged in mineral exploitation to manage technical safety work during the production process.

3. Department Head refers to the head of a department or the person assigned by the organization or enterprise engaged in mineral exploitation to be responsible for professional matters concerning safety, mining technology, electromechanical, transportation, ventilation, geology, surveying.

4. Shift Supervisor or equivalent position referred to as Shift Supervisor is the person assigned by the organization or enterprise engaged in mineral exploitation to manage a subordinate unit or production part directly involved in the mineral exploitation process.

5. Shift Leader or equivalent position referred to as Shift Leader is the person assigned by the organization or enterprise engaged in mineral exploitation to manage the area of a subordinate unit or production part participating in the mineral exploitation process during one shift as assigned by the Shift Supervisor.

6. The semi-professional emergency response team of the organization or enterprise engaged in mineral exploitation refers to a unit responding to emergencies, including people selected and trained with knowledge and skills for emergency response situations.

Chapter II. STANDARDS FOR MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTION OPERATIONS POSITIONS; TRAINING AND ISSUANCE OF TECHNICAL SAFETY TRAINING CERTIFICATES IN MINERAL EXPLOITATION

Article 4. Standards for management and production operations positions in mineral exploitation

1. Mine Safety Engineer

a) For underground mine exploitation: Must have a bachelor's degree or higher in mining engineering, mine construction, or mine electromechanical engineering with at least three years of experience in work related to underground mine exploitation.

b) For open-pit mine exploitation: Must have a bachelor's degree or higher in mining engineering, mine construction, mine electromechanical engineering, or mine geology with at least two years of experience in work related to mine exploitation for mines using industrial explosives.

2. Department Head: Must have a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant technical field corresponding to the assigned functions and tasks.

3. Shift Supervisor

a) For underground mine exploitation: Must have an associate degree or higher in mining engineering, mine construction, or mine electromechanical engineering with at least two years of experience in work related to underground mine exploitation.

b) For open-pit mine exploitation: Must have an associate degree or higher in mining engineering, mine construction, mine electromechanical engineering, or mine geology with at least two years of experience in work related to mine exploitation for mines using industrial explosives.

4. Shift Leader

a) For underground mine exploitation: Must have a diploma or higher in mining engineering, mine construction, or mine electromechanical engineering with at least one year of experience in work related to underground mine exploitation.

b) For open-pit mine exploitation: Must have a diploma or higher in mining engineering, mine construction, mine electromechanical engineering, or mine geology with at least one year of experience in work related to mine exploitation for mines using industrial explosives.

Article 5. Contents of Technical Safety Training in Mineral Exploitation

1. For Mine Directors and Mine Safety Engineers

a) Legal regulations on technical safety in mineral exploitation;

b) Safety requirements during work in the mine;

c) Establishing and approving risk management plans during mineral exploitation;

d) Regulations on safety when organizing production in the mine;

đ) Safety in mine power supply;

e) Safety in mine transportation;

g) Drainage calculation and mine flooding prevention;

h) Planning emergency response drills in mineral exploitation.

2. For Department Heads and Shift Supervisors

a) Legal regulations on safety in mineral exploitation;

b) Safety requirements during work in the mine;

c) Identifying risks, hazardous factors, and measures to respond to them during mineral exploitation;

d) Emergency response scenarios in mineral exploitation;

đ) Arranging manpower to organize production at workshops;

e) Mine air safety, drainage, and water burst prevention;

g) Methods and procedures for supplying and regulating airflow in the mine;

h) Safety in mining and pressure control operations;

i) Safety in electromechanical and mine transportation operations;

k) Preparing construction project passports in the mine.

Article 6. Training on technical safety in mineral exploitation

1. Persons conducting training on technical safety in mineral exploitation

a) Persons training workers at underground mineral exploitation mines must have a university degree or higher in one of the following technical fields: mining engineering, mine construction, mine electromechanical, with at least five years of experience in managing underground mine technology, or three years of practical experience working in underground workshops, or five consecutive years of experience in state management of technical safety in mineral exploitation; they must also have knowledge of laws related to mineral exploitation;

b) Persons training workers at open-pit mineral exploitation mines must have a university degree or higher in one of the following technical fields: mining engineering, mine construction, mine electromechanical, with at least three years of experience in managing open-pit or underground mine technology for mines using industrial explosives, or two years of practical experience in technical safety in mineral exploitation, or three years of experience in state management of technical safety in mineral exploitation; they must also have knowledge of laws related to mineral exploitation;

2. Forms of training

a) Initial training: Duration of twelve hours;

b) Periodic training: Duration equal to half the duration of initial training;

c) Retraining: Conducted when the examination results do not meet requirements, when work has been stopped for one year or more, or when there is a change in mineral exploitation methods without a valid technical safety training certificate; when the technical safety training certificate expires. The retraining duration is equal to half the duration of initial training.

3. Mineral exploitation organizations

a) For open-pit mineral exploitation mines: Develop training materials according to the content specified in Article 5 of this Circular; select trainers in accordance with the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article; organize training; manage and monitor the technical safety training activities in enterprises;

b) For underground mineral exploitation mines: Develop training materials according to the content specified in Article 5 of this Circular; select trainers in accordance with the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article; organize training; manage and monitor the technical safety training activities in enterprises; request the People's Committee of the province where the mineral exploitation mine is located to inspect and issue technical safety training certificates to those who have successfully completed the training.

Article 7. Documents, procedures, and processes for inspection and issuance of technical safety training certificates in underground mineral exploitation mines

1. Documents for requesting inspection and issuance of technical safety training certificates in underground mineral exploitation mines include:

a) Application form according to Model No. 01 attached to this Circular;

b) List of persons requesting inspection and issuance of technical safety training certificates according to Model No. 02 attached to this Circular;

c) Two photographs (3x4 cm) of the persons listed in the application for inspection and issuance of technical safety training certificates;

d) Documentation proving professional qualifications meeting the provisions of Article 4 of this Circular.

2. Organizations and individuals exploiting underground mineral deposits shall prepare one set of documents for requesting inspection according to the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article and send them to the People's Committee of the province by one of the following methods:

a) Direct delivery;

b) Delivery through postal services;

c) Delivery through the national administrative procedure software system or that of the provincial People's Committee;

d) Other methods prescribed by law.

3. Inspection and issuance procedures for technical safety training certificates:

a) Within five working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents, the People's Committee of the province will notify the inspection plan to the requesting organization. In case the documents are incomplete or invalid, a written response must be provided within two working days from the date of receipt, stating the reasons;

b) Within seven working days from the date of notification of the inspection plan, the People's Committee of the province will conduct the inspection.

4. Content and results of inspection

a) The inspection content must be consistent with the training content specified in Article 5 of this Circular for corresponding subjects;

b) Technical safety training certificates will be issued to subjects who pass at least seven out of the total number of items specified in Article 5 of this Circular for each subject.

5. Within five working days from the end of the inspection, the People's Committee of the province will issue technical safety training certificates for mineral exploitation according to Model No. 03 attached to this Circular.

6. Technical safety training certificates for mineral exploitation are valid for five years from the date of issuance and are valid nationwide.

7. Reissuance of technical safety training certificates for mineral exploitation

a) Technical safety training certificates for mineral exploitation can be reissued in cases of loss, error, or damage;

b) Reissued technical safety training certificates will have the same content and validity period as the original certificates;

c) Documents for requesting reissue: Application for reissue according to Model No. 04 attached to this Circular; two photographs (3x4 cm) and list of subjects requesting reissue;

d) Within three working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents, the People's Committee of the province will reissue the technical safety training certificates for mineral exploitation; if the documents are incomplete or invalid, a written response must be provided within two working days from the date of receipt, stating the reasons.

8. Technical safety training certificates for mineral exploitation will be revoked in cases where they are found to have been issued beyond authority or do not meet the conditions stipulated in point a of Clause 1; Clause 2; point a of Clause 3 and point a of Clause 4 of Article 4 of this Circular.

a) Documents for requesting revocation: Revocation request form of the organization or enterprise according to Model No. 09 attached to this Circular;

b) Within three working days from the date of receipt of the revocation request, the People's Committee of the province will issue a Decision to revoke according to Model No. 10 attached to this Circular and revoke the technical safety training certificate for mineral exploitation.

Chapter III. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO INITIAL OPERATION IN UNDERGROUND MINES, CLASSIFICATION OF UNDERGROUND MINES BASED ON THE LEVEL OF DANGER CAUSED BY METHANE FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS, AND CONTENTS OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING FOR SEMI-PERSONNEL

Article 8. Systems and equipment prior to initial operation in underground mines and periodic inspection of equipment and means during mineral extraction

1. The list of systems and equipment that must be inspected and approved before their initial operation in underground mines includes:

a) Mine hoists;

b) Equipment for transporting people using diesel engines;

c) Hydraulic systems for supporting underground workings;

d) Main ventilation fans.

2. Inspection and approval authority.

The Department of Technical Safety and Industrial Environment shall inspect and approve systems and equipment before their initial operation in underground mines.

3. Documents for requesting inspection and approval include:

a) A request letter according to Model No. 05 attached to this Circular;

b) Procurement documents for systems and equipment;

c) Installation design documents and completion drawings;

d) Acceptance certificates, test reports (if available);

đ) Operating procedures for systems and equipment;

e) Safety regulations during operation.

4. Organizations and individuals extracting minerals from underground mines shall prepare one set of documents for requesting inspection and approval as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article and submit them to the Department of Technical Safety and Industrial Environment via one of the following methods:

a) Direct submission;

b) Submission through postal services;

c) Submission through the national administrative procedure software system or the Ministry of Industry and Trade's system;

d) Other methods as prescribed by law.

5. Within seven working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Department of Technical Safety and Industrial Environment shall organize inspections; if the documents are incomplete or invalid, within two working days from the date of receipt, they must respond in writing and specify the reasons.

Within five working days from the date of inspection results, the Department of Technical Safety and Industrial Environment shall issue an approval document for systems and equipment before their initial operation in underground mines according to Model No. 06 attached to this Circular.

6. Periodic inspections of equipment and means used in mineral extraction shall be carried out in accordance with technical safety standards for mineral extraction issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Article 9. Documents, procedures, and formalities for classifying underground mines based on the level of danger caused by methane fires and explosions.

1. Documents for requesting classification of underground mines based on the level of danger caused by methane fires and explosions include:

a) A request letter according to Model No. 07 attached to this Circular;

b) Calculations for mine classification based on relative methane emission rate and natural methane content;

c) Diagrams showing locations of coal or ore sample collection points and gas sampling points;

d) Analysis results of coal or ore samples and gas samples;

đ) Forecasting results of methane content and emission rates for deeper levels for each seam;

e) Logs of automatic centralized mine gas monitoring system measurements for mines using such systems.

Documents specified in this clause shall be prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the National Technical Standards on specialized safety.

2. Before January 15th each year, organizations and individuals extracting minerals from underground mines with methane must prepare one set of mine classification documents based on the level of danger caused by methane fires and explosions as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article and submit them to the Department of Technical Safety and Industrial Environment via one of the following methods:

a) Direct submission;

b) Submission through postal services;

c) Submission through the national administrative procedure software system or the Ministry of Industry and Trade's system;

d) Other methods as prescribed by law.

3. Within seven working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Department of Technical Safety and Industrial Environment must organize inspections; if the documents are incomplete or invalid, within two working days from the date of receipt, they must respond in writing and specify the reasons.

Within five working days from the date of inspection results, the Department of Technical Safety and Industrial Environment shall issue a Decision on classifying underground mines based on the level of danger caused by methane fires and explosions according to Model No. 08 attached to this Circular.

Article 10. Contents of emergency response training for semi-personnel teams in mineral extraction

1. For underground mines

a) Legal provisions on organization and activities related to accident response, disaster management, and search and rescue operations;

b) Principles of operation of semi-personnel emergency response teams;

c) Types of mine accidents and methods of rescue and accident response;

d) Initial first aid methods;

đ) Use of breathing apparatus (theory and practice);

e) Use of rescue equipment for victim resuscitation (theory and practice);

g) Use of gas detectors, wind meters, communication devices;

h) Construction and use of various types of isolation barriers;

i) Practice of rescue tactics and emergency response in mines.

2. For open-pit mines

a) Types of mine accidents and methods of rescue and accident response;

b) Contents stipulated at points a, b, d, and i of Clause 1 of this Article.

Chapter IV. IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES

Article 11. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular takes effect from the date of signature.

2. Within one year from the date this Circular takes effect, organizations and individuals extracting minerals that have not yet met the conditions stipulated in this Circular must ensure compliance with the provisions of this Circular.

3. Systems and equipment specified in Clause 1 of Article 8 of this Circular which were put into operation before this Circular took effect are exempted from the requirement to undergo inspection and approval before their initial operation in underground mines as prescribed in this Circular.

4. During implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, relevant agencies, enterprises, organizations, and individuals should report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (through the Department of Technical Safety and Industrial Environment) for guidance and resolution./.

Circular No. 67/2025/TT-BCT amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 43/2025/TT-BCT dated July 4, 2025, of the Minister of Industry and Trade on technical safety in mineral extraction is based on the following grounds:

"On the basis of Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP dated July 2, 2025, of the Government detailing some provisions and measures to implement the Law on Geology and Mineral Resources;

On the basis of Decree No. 40/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025, of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Industry and Trade;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Technical Safety and Industrial Environment;

The Minister of Industry and Trade promulgates the Circular Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of Circular No. 43/2025/TT-BCT dated July 4, 2025, of the Minister of Industry and Trade on technical safety in mineral extraction."

This clause has been amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 1 of Article 1 of Circular No. 67/2025/TT-BCT amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 43/2025/TT-BCT dated July 4, 2025, of the Minister of Industry and Trade on technical safety in mineral extraction, which takes effect from December 31, 2025.

This clause has been amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 1 of Article 1 of Circular No. 67/2025/TT-BCT amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 43/2025/TT-BCT dated July 4, 2025, of the Minister of Industry and Trade on technical safety in mineral extraction, which takes effect from December 31, 2025.

The title of this Article has been amended and supplemented pursuant to point a of Clause 2 of Article 1 of Circular No. 67/2025/TT-BCT amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 43/2025/TT-BCT dated July 4, 2025, of the Minister of Industry and Trade on technical safety in mineral extraction, which takes effect from December 31, 2025.

This clause has been added pursuant to point b of Clause 2 of Article 1 of Circular No. 67/2025/TT-BCT amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 43/2025/TT-BCT dated July 4, 2025, of the Minister of Industry and Trade on technical safety in mineral extraction, which takes effect from December 31, 2025.

Article 2 of Circular No. 67/2025/TT-BCT amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 43/2025/TT-BCT dated July 4, 2025, issued by the Minister of Industry and Trade, concerning technical safety in mineral exploitation, shall take effect from December 31, 2025, and is hereby prescribed as follows:

Article 2. Implementation Provisions

This Circular takes effect from December 31, 2025./.