Circular No. 102/2025/TT-BNNMT amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 21/2024/TT-BTNMT dated December 21, 2024, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment on technical regulations for investigation, assessment of resources, and exploration of rare earth minerals.

CIRCULAR

Amending and supplementing certain Articles of Circular No. 21/2024/TT-BTNMT dated December 21, 2024 issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment qtechnical investigation, evaluation of natural resources and exploration rare earth minerals

Pursuant to Law on Geology and Mineral Resources No. 54/2024/QH15 dated November 29, 2024;

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

Pursuant to Decree No. 35/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 25, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

At the proposal of the Director of the Vietnam Geological and Mineral Resources Administration;

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development issues this Circular amending and supplementing certain Articles of Circular No. 21/2024/TT-BTNMT dated December 21, 2024 issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment regarding technical investigation, evaluation of natural resources, and exploration of rare earth minerals.

Article 1. Amending and supplementing Clause 4 and Clause 5 as follows:

"4. Rapid analysis using portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) equipment or equivalent devices to preliminarily determine the composition and content of rare earth elements at the site; using chemicals to quickly identify the presence of rare earth elements in the form of ion adsorption at the site.

6. Drilling

a) Drilling shall be conducted in areas where there is insufficient density of weathered crust sections as specified in Appendix I or in areas with sections but only observable up to half the predicted thickness of the weathered crust;

b) The average drilling density for each area must be at least one drill hole per 5 km;²;

c) Hand drilling shall be applied in cases of difficult terrain conditions; the survey depth should not exceed 20 meters and the rock grade from I to IV; machine drilling shall be used as a substitute when the thickness of the weathered crust exceeds 20 meters or the rock grade exceeds IV."

Article 2. Amending and supplementing Clause 3 and Clause 5 of Article 6 as follows: "3. Field survey route combined with ground gamma ray measurement in areas with rare earth prospects that have been selected.

5. Rapid analysis using portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) equipment or equivalent devices to preliminarily determine the composition and content of rare earth elements at the site; using chemicals to quickly identify the presence of rare earth elements in the form of ion adsorption at the site."

Article 3. Amending and supplementing Point a and Point b of Clause 1 of Article 14 as follows:

"1. For rare earth minerals in the form of ion adsorption:

a) Using national coordinate system topographic maps at the survey scale or larger. Positioning survey points and drilling works by hand-held GPS;

b) Geological route collecting comprehensive information on geology, geomorphology, structure, tectonics, material composition, hydrogeological and engineering geological characteristics, mineralization features, combined with ground gamma ray and ground gamma spectrum measurements; rapid analysis using portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) equipment or equivalent devices to preliminarily determine the composition and content of rare earth elements at the site; using chemicals to quickly identify the presence of rare earth elements in the form of ion adsorption at the site. Survey network carried out according to the provisions of Appendix I of this Circular;"

Article 4. Amending and supplementing Point a, Point b, and Point d of Clause 1 of Article 15 as follows:

a) Gamma ray measurement shall be carried out as follows:

a) Using national coordinate system topographic maps at the survey scale or larger. Positioning survey points and drilling works by hand-held GPS;

- Ground gamma ray measurement along the route to detect radioactive anomalies on the surface or near the surface. In case of detecting anomalies, detailed measurements shall be conducted around the detection point to ensure full control of the anomaly's extent.

- Gamma ray measurement in mining works to detect, delineate the size and shape of radioactive anomalies, and guide sample collection work.

- Gamma ray measurement on core samples from drilling to detect radioactive anomaly positions and guide sample collection work.

- The gamma ray measurement network shall be carried out according to the provisions of Appendix I of this Circular.

b) Gamma spectrum measurement shall be carried out as follows:

- Ground gamma spectrum measurement along the route to determine the nature and size of radioactive anomalies; for areas with relatively uniform primary rock characteristics and small variations in gamma spectrum values, sparse measurements can be conducted by measuring along main routes.

d) Rapid analysis using portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) equipment or equivalent devices shall be carried out as follows:

- Measurement at sampling locations on routes and mining works to guide sample collection and sending for analysis. One sample is measured per weathering zone.

- Technical methods shall be implemented according to Decision No. 1343/QĐ-ĐCKS dated December 25, 2017 of the Vietnam General Department of Geology and Mineral Resources on announcing the standard TCCS.01:2017/ĐCKS Soil Sample - Determination of Chemical Element Content - Portable or Mobile XRF Analysis Method. One of the two procedures specified in TCCS.01:2017/ĐCKS may be applied based on actual conditions."

- Technical method implementation according to Decision No. 1343/QD-DCKS dated December 25, 2017 of the Vietnam Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources on announcing the basic standard TCCS.01:2017/DCKS Soil Sample - Determination of Chemical Element Content - XRF Portable or Mobile Device Analysis Method. One of the two procedures specified in TCCS.01:2017/DCKS may be applied as appropriate.

Article 5. Amend and supplement the title of Article 16 and Point d Clause 1 of Article 16 as follows:

"Article 16. Drilling work and excavation projects

1. For rare earth minerals in the form of ion adsorption:

d) Hand drilling shall be carried out when the thickness of the weathered crust or construction conditions for wells are unclear in the survey area to ensure the minimum cross-section ratio as prescribed in Appendix I of this Circular. Machine drilling shall be used as a substitute when hand drilling is difficult and cannot control the entire thickness of the weathered crust."

Article 6. Amend and supplement Point a Clause 1 of Article 17 as follows:

a) Using national coordinate system topographic maps at the survey scale or larger. Positioning survey points and drilling works by hand-held GPS;

a) Sampling shall be conducted according to the following provisions:

- Block samples shall be taken for observation at survey points on the surface or exposed bedrock points.

- Trench samples shall be taken from exposed weathered crusts, excavation projects. Separate samples shall be taken for each weathering zone, with the length of the sample not exceeding the thickness specified in the resource calculation criteria designed in the project approved by the competent authority.

- Core samples: take half along the core. The length of the sample shall not exceed the thickness specified in the resource calculation criteria designed in the project approved by the competent authority.

- Sampling techniques shall be implemented in accordance with Circular No. 16/2020/TT-BTNMT dated August 18, 2020, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, which stipulates technical requirements for excavation projects and geological and mineral sampling at excavation sites."

Article 7. Amend and supplement Point a Clause 1 of Article 18 as follows:

a) Using national coordinate system topographic maps at the survey scale or larger. Positioning survey points and drilling works by hand-held GPS;

a) Consolidate and process field survey materials on geology, geomorphology, weathered crust, gamma ray measurements, gamma spectrum measurements, quick analysis results using portable XRF devices, rapid identification results using chemicals for the presence of ion-adsorbed rare earth minerals in the field, drilling and excavation projects, and analysis results of various types of samples;"

Article 8. Amend and supplement Point d Clause 1 of Article 20 as follows:

a) Using national coordinate system topographic maps at the survey scale or larger. Positioning survey points and drilling works by hand-held GPS;

d) Requirements for field survey results include:

- Preliminary delineation of the distribution range of the weathered layer containing rare earth minerals along the route.

- Determination of areas meeting the thickness criteria for resource calculation.

- Specific location determination for excavation projects (exposure, drilling) along the route to ensure feasibility and effectiveness based on the planned network of projects."

Article 9. Amend and supplement Appendices I and II promulgated together with Circular No. 21/2024/TT-BTNMT

1. Amend and supplement Appendix I Density Network for Resource Survey of Rare Earth Minerals accompanying this Circular.

2. Amend and supplement Appendix II Density Network for Resource Evaluation of Rare Earth Minerals accompanying this Circular.

Article 10Article 11. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular takes effect from January 1, 2026.

2. In cases where the referenced documents in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, the new regulations shall apply.

Article 1Article 12. Transitional Provisions

For tasks, projects, and programs that have been approved and are being implemented according to Articles 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 20 of Circular No. 21/2024/TT-BTNMT before the effective date of this Circular, they shall continue to be implemented until completion.

Article 13. Organization of Implementation

1. The Director of the Vietnam Geological and Mineral Resources Department shall be responsible for disseminating and supervising the implementation of this Circular.

2. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, agencies under the Government, People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities, and related agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

3. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties or obstacles, agencies, organizations, and individuals are requested to promptly reflect them to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for consideration and resolution./.