Circular No. 33/2025/TT-BNNMT on the establishment, review, approval of plans, projects, tasks, reports on the results of basic geological surveys, geological surveys on minerals, and publication of the results of basic geological surveys.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the preparation, review, approval of programs, projects, tasks, reports on the results of basic geological surveys, mineral resource geological surveys,and the publication of the results of basic geological surveys

Pursuant to the 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 the implementation of the Law on Geology and Mineral Resources;

Pursuant to Decree No. 35/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 25, 2025 of the Government on 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 regulating the preparation, review, approval of programs, projects, tasks, reports on the results of basic geological surveys, mineral resource geological surveys, and the publication of the results of basic geological surveys.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular regulates the preparation, review, approval of programs, projects, tasks (hereinafter referred to collectively as programs), reports on the results of basic geological surveys, mineral resource geological surveys (hereinafter referred to collectively as reports), and the publication of the results of basic geological surveys.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to state management agencies for geology and minerals; organizations and individuals participating in the implementation of basic geological survey programs and mineral resource geological survey programs.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

1. The leading unit implementing the program/project/task isthe unit entrusted by the competent state management agency to lead the preparation and implementation of the program/project/task.

2. The cooperating unit implementing the program/project/task isthe unit entrusted by the competent authority to implement part of the workload of the program/project/task as specified in the Decision approving the program or the Decision assigning the task, ordering the provision of products, public services.

3. Organizations and individuals participating in the implementation of the program areunits, teams, groups, or teams assigned by the implementing unit to carry out certain or all parts of the workload of the program.

Chapter II

PREPARATION, REVIEW, AND APPROVAL OF BASIC GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROGRAMS AND MINERAL RESOURCE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROGRAMS

Article 4. General requirements for program preparation work

1. Basic geological survey programs and mineral resource geological survey programs shall be prepared based on approved geological survey planning and implementation plans, management requirements, and specialized tasks assigned by the competent authority.

2. The explanatory notes of the programs must ensure scientific validity, feasibility, transparency, and alignment with sustainable natural resource development goals.

3. The explanatory notes of the programs shall be prepared according to Model No. 01 and Model No. 02 of the Appendix attached to this Circular, including the following main contents:

a) Legal basis for preparing the program;

b) Scope of implementation clearly indicating geographic location, coordinates, and area of the survey region;

c) Natural and socio-economic characteristics of the survey region;

d) Geological data and geological resource materials for preparing the program;

đ) Objectives, goals, and tasks of the program;

e) Technical methods and volume of design works to ensure completion of the program's objectives and tasks;

g) Construction plan and progress schedule;

h) Expected outcomes and products upon completion of the program;

i) Budget estimate.

Article 5. Documents for program review submission

1. Components of the application for program review include:

a) Request for program review from the leading agency/unit entrusted with implementing the program;

b) Explanatory notes of the program;

c) Relevant appendices, drawings, and collected materials (if applicable);

d) Meeting minutes; comments from related organizations and individuals; explanations and adoption of suggestions by the program preparatory unit (if applicable);

đ) Other relevant documents (if applicable).

2. Submission of application for program review

a) For programs under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, they shall be submitted to the Vietnam Geological and Mineral Resources Administration;

b) For programs under the jurisdiction of provincial People's Committees, they shall be submitted to the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development;

c) The documents stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall be prepared in three (03) sets and submitted to the competent agency as prescribed in point a and point b of Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 6. Content of the project review

1. The project shall be reviewed based on the following contents:

a) The appropriateness and completeness regarding the legal basis, scientific and practical foundation, and the reliability of geological and mineral information for the preparation of the project;

b) Compliance with planning and implementation plans for basic geological surveys and geological surveys on minerals; practical state management of geology and minerals;

c) Objectives, tasks, survey subjects, feasibility, and effectiveness of the proposed system of technical methods and volume of work; compliance with procedures, regulations, technical standards, and economic-technical norms issued by competent authorities;

d) Expected results and products expected to be established upon completion of the project;

đ) Compatibility between the ability to implement the project, the volume of work planned, and the technical equipment, human resources, and implementation schedule of the implementing entity;

e) Basis for preparing the budget for implementing the project.

2. The document reviewing the content of the project as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall be prepared according to Model No. 03 and Model No. 04 of the Appendix promulgated together with this Circular.

Article 7. Project Review

1. After receiving all required documents as prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 5 of this Circular, the agency or unit responsible for receiving the project review request as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 5 of this Circular shall establish a Review Board and organize the project review.

2. The Review Board consists of 7 to 15 members, including: Chairman of the Board, Vice-Chairman of the Board (if necessary); two opposing members, one secretary member, and other members must have expertise relevant to the content of the project.

a) For projects under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chairman of the Board is the leadership of the Vietnam Geological and Mineral Resources Department;

b) For projects under the management of the Provincial People's Committee, the Chairman of the Board is the leadership of the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

3. Principles for convening the Board: the Board shall convene when at least two-thirds of the members participate; Board members are responsible for evaluating the review contents prepared according to Model No. 05 of the Appendix promulgated together with this Circular; the Chairman of the Board decides to approve, conditionally approve, or not approve the project based on the evaluation results of the Board members; the Board's secretary member is responsible for recording the meeting minutes according to Model No. 06 of the Appendix promulgated together with this Circular.

4. The Review Board may convene through direct, online, or combined direct and online meetings. Online meetings must comply with current regulations on document management and information security.

Article 8. Approval of the Project

1. Documents submitted for project approval include:

a) The document requesting project approval from the state management agency assigned the task of preparing the project.

b) Meeting documents of the Review Board as stipulated in Clause 4 of Article 7 of this Circular, including: decision on establishing the Review Board, Minutes of the Review Board meeting;

c) Explanation and adoption of opinions from the main implementing unit of the project;

d) Completed project, including: project description accompanied by legal documents, drawings, and appendices.

2. Submission of documents for project approval

a) For projects under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, they shall be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (through the Planning and Finance Department);

b) For projects under the management of the Provincial People's Committee, they shall be submitted to the Provincial People's Committee (through the Provincial Finance Department).

3. Approval Review of the Project

a) After receiving all required documents as stipulated in this Article (Planning and Finance Department, Provincial Finance Department), conduct a document check and organize the collection of opinions from related agencies according to Model No. 05 of the Appendix promulgated together with this Circular;

For projects under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Planning and Finance Department will compile the opinions of related agencies and submit them to the Minister for approval of the project or establishment of a Review Board before approving the project according to the management regulations for specialized tasks issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

For projects under the management of the Provincial People's Committee, the Provincial Finance Department will compile the opinions of related agencies and submit them to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for approval of the project or establishment of a Review Board before approving the project according to the management regulations for specialized tasks issued by the Provincial People's Committee;

b) In case it is necessary to establish a Review Board

The Review Board consists of 7 to 15 members, including: Chairman of the Board, Vice-Chairman of the Board (if necessary); two opposing members, one secretary member, and other members must have expertise relevant to the content of the project;

For projects under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chairman of the Board is the leadership of the ministry responsible for the field, the Vice-Chairman of the Board is the leadership of the Planning and Finance Department or/and the leadership of the state management agency in the field;

For projects under the management of the Provincial People's Committee, the Chairman of the Board is the leadership of the Provincial People's Committee responsible for the field, the Vice-Chairman of the Board is the leadership of the Provincial Finance Department or/and the leadership of the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

4. The organization of the Review Board for project approval shall comply with the provisions of Clause 3 and Clause 4 of Article 7 of this Circular.

5. Approving the Project

a) For projects managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: after receiving all required documents as stipulated in this Article and review comments, opinions, and review minutes as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article, the Planning and Finance Department shall submit to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for project approval;

b) For projects managed by the Provincial People's Committee: after receiving all required documents as stipulated in this Article and review comments, opinions, and review minutes as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article, the Provincial Finance Department shall submit to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for project approval;

c) The model of the project approval decision is prepared according to Model No. 07 of the Appendix promulgated together with this Circular.

Chapter III

PREPARATION, REVIEW, AND APPROVAL OF BASIC GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION REPORTS AND MINERAL GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION REPORTS

Article 9. Documents for Review

1. The documents for requesting review of geological investigation reports and mineral geological investigations include:

a) A request for review of the report from the agency or unit responsible for implementing the report;

b) An explanation of the report;

c) Relevant appendices, drawings, and collected materials (if applicable);

d) Minutes of meetings; comments from related organizations and individuals; explanations and adoption of suggestions from the report preparation unit (if any);

đ) Other relevant documents (if applicable).

2. Submission of application for program review

a) For reports under the management authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment submitted to the Vietnam Geological and Mineral Resources Department;

b) For reports under the management authority of the Provincial People's Committee submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Environment;

c) The documents stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall be prepared in three (03) sets and submitted to the competent agency as prescribed in point a and point b of Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 10. Content of the Report

1. The report on the results of basic geological investigations and mineral geological investigations includes the following main contents:

a) Legal basis for preparing the report;

b) Degree of implementation of tasks according to approved projects;

c) Main technical methods applied and their effectiveness; volume of work completed, changes compared to initial design; reasons and legal basis;

d) Geological results, geological resource assessment, degree of completion compared to project objectives already approved;

đ) Issues, causes, and recommendations;

e) Summary of funds expended.

2. The structure and content of the report are established according to Model No. 08 and Model No. 09 of the Appendix issued together with this Circular.

Article 11. Content of Review

1. The content of the review of the report includes:

a) Basis and reliability of collected, processed, and compiled materials for preparing the report;

b) Rationality and economic efficiency of applied technical-methods and technologies;

c) Reliability and accuracy of investigation results; conclusions stated in the report;

d) Degree of completion of assigned objectives, tasks, economic-technical indicators, and economic benefits of achieved results;

đ) Structure, form of the report, quantity, and quality of products submitted in accordance with current relevant regulations.

2. The review document is established according to Model No. 10 and Model No. 11 of the Appendix issued together with this Circular.

Article 12. Review of Reports

1. After receiving complete documents as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 9 of this Circular, the agency or unit receiving the request for report review as specified in Clause 2 of Article 9 of this Circular shall be responsible for establishing a Review Board and organizing the review of the report.

2. The Review Board consists of 7 to 15 members, including: Chairman of the Board, Vice-Chairman of the Board (if necessary); 02 opposing members, 01 secretary member, and other board members must have expertise relevant to the report content.

a) For reports under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Chairman of the Board is the leader of the Vietnam Geological and Mineral Resources Department;

b) For reports under the management of the Provincial People's Committee, the Chairman of the Board is the leader of the Department of Agriculture and Environment.

3. Principles of Board meetings: the board meets when two-thirds of the members participate; board members are responsible for evaluating the review contents established according to Model No. 12 of the Appendix issued together with this Circular; the Chairman of the Board decides to approve, approve with amendments, or not approve the report based on the evaluation results of the board members; the secretary member of the Board records the minutes of the review meeting according to Model No. 13 of the Appendix issued together with this Circular.

4. The Review Board may hold meetings through direct or online formats in cases where it is necessary to ensure progress and efficiency. Online meetings must comply with current regulations on document management and information security.

Article 13. Approval of the report

1. The dossier for approval of the report includes:

a) The request for approval of the report from the state management agency assigned to prepare the project proposal;

b) The dossier of the Appraisal Council meeting as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 12 of this Circular, including: decision on establishment of the Appraisal Council, minutes of the Appraisal Council meeting;

c) The explanation document reflecting the opinions of the main implementing unit of the report;

d) The completed report, including: the explanatory note of the report accompanied by legal documents, drawings, and appendices.

2. Submission of the dossier for approval of the report

a) For reports under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, submit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (through the Department of Planning and Finance);

b) For reports under the jurisdiction of the Provincial People's Committee, submit to the Provincial People's Committee (through the Department of Finance).

2. Examination and approval of the report

a) After receiving the complete dossier as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article (Department of Planning and Finance, Department of Finance), they shall check the dossier and organize to collect opinions from relevant agencies according to Model No. 12 attached to this Circular;

For reports under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Planning and Finance will compile the opinions of relevant agencies and submit to the Minister for a decision on approving the report or establishing an Appraisal Council before approving the report in accordance with the specialized task management regulations issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

For reports under the jurisdiction of the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Finance will compile the opinions of relevant agencies and submit to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for a decision on approving the report or establishing an Appraisal Council before approving the report in accordance with the specialized task management regulations issued by the Provincial People's Committee;

b) In case it is necessary to establish an Appraisal Council;

The Appraisal Council consists of 7 to 15 members, including: Chairperson of the Council, Vice-Chairperson of the Council (if necessary); 02 opposing members, 01 secretary member, and Council members must have expertise relevant to the content of the report;

For reports under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chairperson of the Council is the leader of the Ministry responsible for the field, and the Vice-Chairperson of the Council is the leader of the Department of Planning and Finance or the leader of the state management agency in the field;

For reports under the jurisdiction of the Provincial People's Committee, the Chairperson of the Council is the leader of the Provincial People's Committee responsible for the field, and the Vice-Chairperson of the Council is the leader of the Department of Finance or the leader of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the province.

3. The organization of the Appraisal Council for the report shall comply with the provisions of Clause 3 and Clause 4, Article 12 of this Circular.

4. Submitting for approval of the report

a) For reports managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: after receiving the complete dossier as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article and the review comments, opinions, and appraisal minutes as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article, the Department of Planning and Finance shall submit to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for approval of the report;

b) For reports managed by the Provincial People's Committee: after receiving the complete dossier as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article and the review comments, opinions, and appraisal minutes as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article, the Department of Finance shall submit to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for approval of the report;

c) The approval decision form for the report is established according to Model No. 07 attached to this Circular.

Chapter IV

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BASIC GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION RESULTS

Article 14. Contents of Publication

1. The scope of the project that has been implemented.

2. The level of completion compared to the project's objectives;

3. Types of geological resources discovered and delineated during the implementation of the basic geological investigation project; directions for managing geological resources.

4. For mineral resources, publish the administrative area name where the minerals are distributed; type of minerals, geological characteristics of minerals, quality of minerals; scale of resources and management and usage directions.

Article 15. Forms of Publication

1. For projects under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, they shall be published on the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s electronic portal, the Vietnam Geological and Mineral Resources Administration’s electronic portal, and scientific publications or specialized reports, complying with laws on protecting state secrets.

2. For projects under the management of the provincial People's Committee, they shall be published on the provincial People's Committee’s electronic portal, the department’s electronic portal, and scientific publications or specialized reports, complying with laws on protecting state secrets.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 16. Effective Date

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

2. Repeal Article 1, Article 2, Article 3, Article 4, Article 5, Article 6, Article 7, Article 8, Article 9, Article 24, Article 25, Article 26, Article 27, and Article 28 of Circular No. 26/2019/TT-BTNMT dated December 31, 2019 of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, which become ineffective from the date this Circular takes effect.

Article 17. Implementation Organization

1. The Head of the Ministry’s Office, the Director of the Vietnam Geological and Mineral Resources Administration, the Heads of ministries’ agencies, ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, government agencies, Chairmen of People's Committees, and related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. During the implementation of this Circular, if there are difficulties or obstacles, please report them to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for timely consideration and resolution./.