Decision No. 116/2007/QĐ-TTg Approving the Master Plan for Basic Geological Survey on Mineral Resources until 2015, with orientation to 2020

DECISION OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Approving the Master Plan for Basic Geological Survey on Mineral Resources

until 2015, with a vision to 2020

PRIME MINISTER

Based on the Law on the Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Minerals Law dated March 20, 1996 and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Minerals Law dated June 14, 2005;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 160/2005/NĐ-CP dated December 27, 2005 detailing and guiding the implementation of the Minerals Law and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Minerals Law;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and the Minister of Planning and Investment,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the Master Plan for Basic Geological Survey on Mineral Resources until 2015, with a vision to 2020, with the main contents as follows:

1. Viewpoints:

a) Basic geological survey on mineral resources is the evaluation of mineral resource potential based on basic geological surveys according to the master plan and plan assigned by the State, in line with the strategy, master plan, and socio-economic development plan during each period, serving as a scientific basis for directing exploration, investigation, exploitation, and processing of minerals;

b) The work of basic geological survey on mineral resources needs to be carried out one step ahead and must be conducted simultaneously with basic geological surveys, environmental geological surveys, geological disaster surveys, marine geological surveys, and specialized studies on geology and minerals throughout the territory and territorial waters; priority should be given to areas deep inland, remote areas, border regions, and islands;

c) Mineral resources belong to the entire people, managed uniformly by the State, require investment in surveying, discovering, and evaluating mineral potential both on the surface and underground according to each type or group of minerals; at the same time, policies and measures for protection, rational, effective, economical, and long-term use must be implemented.

2. Objectives:

a) Prepare geological maps and mineral surveys at a scale of 1/50,000 covering 90% of the mainland area and at a scale of 1/500,000 in territorial waters up to a depth of 100 meters, and at scales of 1/50,000 to 1/100,000 for part of the coastal sea area up to a depth of 30 meters, to clarify geological structure, distribution of mineral resources, and delineate areas with promising mineral prospects as a basis for planning socio-economic development of the country;

b) Survey and evaluate the potential of various types of minerals, focusing on iron, titanium, copper, lead-zinc, radioactive ores, kaolin, feldspar, industrial minerals, decorative stones, and coal, as a basis for planning exploration and discovery of new mines, serving the sustainable development goals of the mining industry;

c) Enhance capacity and expertise, update advanced equipment and technologies with high accuracy to meet requirements for geological and mineral sample analysis; consolidate and establish a unified information database on geology and mineral resources nationwide.

3. Tasks:

a) Prepare geological maps and mineral surveys:

- Until 2015:

Prepare geological maps and mineral surveys at a scale of 1/50,000 for 35 regions on the mainland in northern mountainous provinces, Central Highlands, and Southern region, covering approximately 75,624 square kilometers; among which, 10 regions have been initiated before 2006.

Conduct geological, mineral, environmental geological, geodynamic, and geological disaster surveys, with emphasis on coastal areas at scales of 1/50,000 to 1/100,000 to a depth of 30 meters of water, covering an area of approximately 33,000 square kilometers. Conduct geological, mineral, environmental geological, geodynamic, and geological disaster surveys, with emphasis on coastal areas at scales of 1/500,000 to a depth of 100 meters of water, covering an area of approximately 266,000 square kilometers.

Conduct aerial magnetic and gamma-ray spectrometry surveys at scales of 1/50,000 to 1/25,000 to assess the structural characteristics of the geological and mineral regions of South Pleiku (Kon Tum, Gia Lai), Dak Glei - Khanh Duc (Quang Nam, Kon Tum), covering an area of approximately 11,600 square kilometers.

- Post-2015 phase:

Create geological maps and conduct mineral surveys at scales of 1/50,000 for 16 regions on land in the Central Highlands, North Central Highlands, and Northern Delta provinces, Southern Delta provinces, covering an area of approximately 38,960 square kilometers. Conduct aerial magnetic and gamma-ray spectrometry surveys at scales of 1/50,000 to 1/25,000 for Bac Kan - Tuyen Quang region, covering an area of approximately 6,200 square kilometers; conduct electromagnetic surveys at scales of 1/10,000 to 1/25,000 for Tu Le (Yen Bai, Son La) and Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan regions, covering an area of approximately 10,000 square kilometers. Conduct geological, mineral, environmental geological, geodynamic, and geological disaster surveys at scale of 1/500,000 for the Spratly Islands archipelago.

During the process of creating geological maps and conducting mineral surveys until 2020, simultaneously carry out research on special topics such as petrology, stratigraphy, and structural tectonics, ore-forming models of various types of mineral deposits, and predict potential areas both on the surface and underground.

b) Investigate and evaluate mineral resource potentials:

- Until 2015:

Investigate and evaluate over 62 areas in the northern mountainous region, Central Vietnam, and the Central Highlands to identify 40 to 45 areas with mineral potentials including coal, iron, copper, lead-zinc, decorative stones, and industrial minerals, which have the potential to become mines.

- Post-2015 phase:

Investigate and evaluate over 15 areas in the northern mountainous region, Central Vietnam, and the Central Highlands to identify 10 areas with prospects for tin, lead-zinc, copper, and brown coal.

The list of areas for creating geological maps and investigating and evaluating mineral resources is detailed in Appendix I and Appendix II attached to this Decision.

c) Enhance capacity, expertise, and modernize equipment and advanced technologies with high accuracy to meet the requirements of geological and mineral sample analysis:

- Establish two Geological Sample Analysis Centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City equipped with advanced technology capable of processing and accurately analyzing various types of geological and mineral samples;

- Strengthen and establish streamlined investigation units with high professional expertise and modern investigation and data processing equipment.

d) Build a database system for geological and mineral information:

By 2015, complete the construction of a unified national database system for geological and mineral information. Establish a Geological Information Storage Center with adequate facilities and modern equipment to meet the needs of timely and convenient information synthesis, processing, and provision. Consolidate and expand the Geological Museum to preserve and maintain a rich collection of geological and mineral specimens and related information, meeting the needs of management, production, and community requirements.

4. Solutions:

a) Focus investment on researching and selecting advanced and modern methods and equipment with high accuracy for use in geological and mineral investigations and sample analysis;

b) Improve and reform policies and management mechanisms for funding and settlement of economic activities related to basic geological investigations of mineral resources in accordance with the State Budget Law and current realities;

c) Reform and improve procedures, standards, and technical regulations for basic geological investigations of mineral resources in line with the development level and technological capabilities of countries in the region and worldwide;

d) Strengthen international cooperation in basic geological investigations of mineral resources and mineral prediction for deep structures with mineral potential; study and cooperate to access geological scientific achievements from other countries, and promote the application of advanced methods, equipment, and technologies in basic geological investigations of mineral resources.

5. Investment Capital:

- Investment capital for basic geological investigations of mineral resources until 2020 is approximately 24 trillion VND, and enhancing equipment capacity is approximately 25 trillion VND. The main source of investment capital is the state budget. Funding for specific projects will be approved by authorized authorities according to regulations and the state budget allocation.

- Other sources of capital from organizations and individuals cooperating with Vietnam.

Article 2. Implementation organization:

1. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to implement this Plan.

2. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment shall balance the state budget to implement this Plan.

3. Provincial People's Committees shall be responsible for coordinating, creating favorable conditions, and ensuring the implementation of basic geological investigations of mineral resources according to the plan within their administrative jurisdiction; effectively utilize the results of basic geological investigations of mineral resources for socio-economic development planning.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 4. Ministers, Heads of agencies equivalent to ministries, Heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial-level city People's Committees are responsible for implementing this Decision./.