Circular No. 35/2025/TT-BNNMT on the contents of basic geological surveys and mineral geological surveys

 

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the basic geological survey and mineral geological survey

On the basis of Law on Geology and Minerals No. 54/2024/QH15 November 29, 2024;

Decree No. Decision No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP dated July 2, 2025, of the Government detailing certain provisions and measures for implementation of the Law on Geology and Minerals;

Decree No. Decision No. 35/2025/NĐ-CP dated July 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 to detail regulations on the content of basic geological surveys and mineral geological surveys.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the content of basic geological surveys for the creation of national geological maps at a scale of 1:50,000 and specialized geological maps at a larger scale than 1:50,000; the content of mineral geological surveys.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to state management agencies for geology and minerals; organizations and individuals implementing basic geological survey projects and mineral geological survey projects.

Chapter II

CONTENTS OF BASIC GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS FOR THE CREATION OF NATIONAL GEOLOGICAL MAPS AND CONTENTS OF SPECIALIZED GEOLOGICAL MAPS AT A SCALE LARGER THAN 1:50,000

Section 1

 CREATION OF NATIONAL GEOLOGICAL MAPS

Article 3. Geological Map at Scale 1:1,000,000

1. Synthesize, analyze, and process geological and mineral resource materials up to a scale of 1:500,000, including information on geology, geological resources, and regional and continental-scale minerals.

2. Synthesize and compile general characteristics of the geology of some countries and major continents in a comprehensive manner; define the structural framework for the research territory.

3. Supplement geological and mineral resource information; link and delineate regional and continental-scale geological units and tectonic structures.

4. Compile and create geological maps showing geological and tectonic elements; geological resources and minerals meeting international integration requirements.

Article 4. Geological Map at Scale 1:500,000

1. Synthesize, analyze, and process geological and mineral resource materials up to a scale of 1/500,000, including information on geology, geological resources, and regional and territorial-scale minerals.

2. Synthesize, compile, and represent sedimentary, metamorphic, and magmatic formations of different ages and compositions; areas with geological resource and mineral distribution.

3. Supplement geological and mineral information; link and delineate regional and territorial-scale geological units and tectonic structures.

4. Synthesize geological and mineral data to clarify the geological structure and development history of the research region; determine the relationship between geological resources and minerals with tectonic suites or combinations of structural elements present within the mapping area.

5. Compile and create geological maps including geological, tectonic, and mineral elements meeting international integration requirements.

Article 5. Geological Map at Scale 1:250,000

1. Synthesize, analyze, and process geological and mineral resource materials up to a scale of 1/50,000, including information on geology, geological resources, and minerals.

2. Synthesize, compile, and detail geological structures, the distribution and boundaries of various types of geological resources and minerals from results of basic geological surveys and mineral geological surveys at higher scales.

3. Supplement geological and mineral information; link and delineate regional-scale geological units and structures.

4. Zone prospecting for geological resources and minerals; establish prospecting zoning maps for geological resources and minerals at the same scale.

5. Geological maps need to fully reflect geological and tectonic elements; geological resources and minerals meeting regional integration requirements.

Article 6. Geological and mineral maps at a scale of 1:50,000 for mainland areas

1. The preparation of geological and mineral maps at a scale of 1:50,000 shall be carried out according to specialized topics including: mapping stratigraphic formations, metamorphic rocks, unstratified volcanic rocks, intrusive magma, structural-tectonic features, minerals, geomorphology, weathered crust, geological disasters, environmental geology, hydrogeology, engineering geology, geological relics, and geological heritage.

2. Divide geological units based on their material components, age of formation, and formation conditions; determine their characteristics, petrographic composition, geochemical properties, and display their distribution and relationships on the map.

3. Discover and conduct preliminary investigations of various types of minerals; identify prerequisites, indicators, and distribution patterns of minerals; forecast promising mineral areas; clarify the relationship between minerals and geological formations and structural geological factors; determine controlling factors for mineral distribution and favorable geological conditions for mineral accumulation; delineate areas with potential for discovering new mines or increasing resources within known mining regions.

4. Investigate current conditions, delineate and predict areas where geological disasters may occur; geological factors, geochemical anomalies, heavy sands, geophysical aspects, areas containing harmful minerals; regions with prospects for geological and mineral resources.

Article 7. Geophysical field maps

1. Geophysical field maps at scales of 1:1,000,000; 1:250,000; 1:50,000, including: gravity field, magnetic field, and radioactive field.

2. Gravity field map

a) Gravity isostatic contour map based on data from ground and airborne gravity measurements; determine gravity values for each geological entity;

b) Synthesize and analyze gravity field values from the creation of gravity field maps at a scale of 1:1,000,000 to establish tectonic zoning maps of the Earth's crust and predict mineral genesis;

c) Synthesize and analyze gravity field values from the creation of gravity field maps at a scale of 1:250,000 to establish structural-tectonic maps, clearly showing fault systems, intrusive bodies, volcanic formations, sedimentary deposits, and mineral resource prospects.

3. Magnetic field map

a) Magnetic isostatic contour map based on data from airborne magnetic measurements; determine magnetic values for each geological entity;

b) Synthesize and analyze magnetic field values from the creation of magnetic field maps at a scale of 1:1,000,000 to establish geological maps and predict mineral genesis;

c) Synthesize and analyze magnetic field values from the creation of magnetic field maps at a scale of 1:250,000 to establish geological maps, clearly showing geological boundaries, structural factors controlling mineralization, locations, sizes, and shapes of mineralized zones;

d) Synthesize and analyze magnetic field values from the creation of magnetic field maps at a scale of 1:50,000 to establish geological maps, clearly showing geological boundaries of weakly magnetic rocks, tectonic destruction zones, prospective mineral areas with magnetic properties, and thermal alteration zones serving mineral geological surveys.

4. Radioactive field map

a) Radioactive field maps at scales from 1:1,000,000 to 1:500,000 for small-scale geological mapping and mineral exploration;

b) Radioactive field maps at scales from 1:250,000 to 1:100,000 for medium-scale geological mapping and mineral exploration;

c) Radioactive field maps at scales of 1:50,000 and larger for evaluating mineral potential in areas with radioactive ore and other valuable mineral prospects.

Article 8. Geological Map at Scale 1:250,000

1. Determine the geochemical background, geochemical anomalies, contrast of geochemical anomalies, and geochemical characteristics of elements.

2. Delimit and forecast areas with potential hidden mineral resources, regions that may be affected by the environment, and soil characteristics based on geochemical data.

3. Delimit and forecast environmental impacts related to the accumulation of harmful elements.

4. Determine the composition of materials, geochemical environmental indices, pH, and nutrient content of soil to assess soil quality and classification.

Article 9. Geological Heritage Map at Scale 1:250,000

1. Collect relevant geological and socio-economic information.

2. Synthesize and analyze geological data to delimit areas with preconditions and signs of geological heritage.

3. Synthesize, analyze, and evaluate areas already delimited as geological heritage, which have the potential to become geological heritages (if any).

4. The Geological Heritage Map at Scale 1:250,000 delimits areas of geological parks, recognized geological heritages; current investigation status; identified geological heritages, and areas with potential to become geological heritages.

5. Establish a digital database for geological heritage.

Article 10. Topographic Map at Scale 1:50,000

1. Categorize and describe landforms according to origin and age, geomorphological factors (cliffs, watersheds, drainage lines, erosion channels, etc.), manifestations of neotectonic and modern tectonic activities, and active faults.

2. Determine endogenous and exogenous geological conditions that form landforms and geomorphological factors.

3. Identify landforms capable of accumulating and destroying minerals, and those likely to experience geological hazards.

4. Delimit and describe landforms capable of containing minerals.

5. Represent on the map landform types, active faults, mineral accumulations and destructions, and areas predicted to experience geological hazards associated with landform types.

6. Delimit areas with landscapes having the potential to become geomorphic geological heritages.

7. Evaluate the significance and value of landform types.

Article 11. Weathering Crust Map at Scale 1:50,000

1. Categorize weathering crust types based on petrology, geochemistry, mineralogy, and age of weathering crust; clarify characteristics of zones from top to bottom according to petrological and mineralogical features (composition, color, structure, architecture, etc.) with distinct characteristics and oxide contents.

2. Determine the formation conditions of weathering crust based on rock parentage, topography, geomorphology, climate, vegetation cover, and time.

3. Determine the relationship and prospects of exogenous mineral deposits, environmental geology, geological hazards, and engineering geology.

Article 12. Geological Hazard Map at Scale 1:50,000

1. Synthesize and analyze phenomena, signs, preconditions, and manifestations of geological hazards; natural and socio-economic conditions related to them.

2. Analyze topographical and geomorphological characteristics; determine geological characteristics, physical properties of geological entities, and geological evolution processes; causes or triggering factors of geological hazards.

3. Delimit areas at risk of geological hazards; propose preventive measures to reduce damage.

Article 13. Geological Environmental Map at Scale 1:50,000

1. Collecting and compiling data on geology and minerals affecting the environment; economic and social conditions, epidemiology.

2. Determining changes in geological environments, zoning of geological environmental pollution; causes and extent of impact on human living environments.

3. Forecasting trends in the dispersion of harmful elements in soil and water environments.

Article 14. Engineering Geological Map at Scale 1:50,000

1. Collecting, compiling, and analyzing data on climate, meteorology, surface water, groundwater, topography, geomorphology, dynamic geological phenomena.

2. Determining the physical and mechanical properties of geological entities by age and origin; determining characteristics of dynamic hydrogeology, relationships between geology, hydrology, and engineering works.

3. Zoning for engineering geology, clearly delineating regions, zones, areas of engineering geology, directions for sustainable and effective use.

Article 15. Urban Geological Map at Scale 1:50,000

1. Evaluating the physicochemical characteristics of geological entities, features of engineering geology, hydrogeology, environmental geology, geological disasters; interactions between urban systems and geological environments.

2. Determining compatibility between geological space and urban development processes, urban planning, geological resources.

3. Zoning for urban geological space development orientation, forecasting anthropogenic impacts on urban geological environments.

Section 2

 PREPARATION OF SPECIAL GEOLOGICAL MAPS AT A SCALE LARGER THAN 1:50,000

Article 16. Special Geological Maps

1. Special geological maps prepared to serve state management of geology and mineral resources, scientific research, including: remote sensing; geology; geophysics; geochemistry, heavy minerals; sample analysis; application of GIS technology, modeling, and digital databases.

2. Based on research objectives and practical applications, special geological maps are classified as follows:

a) Structural Geology Map at Scale 1:25,000;

b) Petrology-Structural Map at Scale 1:25,000, 1:10,000;

c) Ore-Control Structure Map at Scale 1:25,000, 1:10,000;

d) Resource Prediction Map for Deep Mineral Resources at Scale 1:25,000, 1:10,000;

đ) Ore-Field Structure Map at Scale 1:10,000, 1:5,000;

e) Magma Block Petrology Map at Scale 1:25,000, 1:10,000;

g) Geochemistry and Weathering Rind Map at Scale 1:25,000;

h) Geophysics, Geochemistry, Modern Sedimentation, and Detailed Paleogeographic Facies Map at Scale 1:25,000, 1:10,000, and 1:5,000.

Article 17. Comprehensive Map of Geological Resources and Mineral Deposits

1. Compiling and analyzing basic geological survey results, mineral resource surveys, exploration, and mining activities to serve state management of geology and mineral resources by sector and locality.

2. According to management requirements, comprehensive maps of geological resources and mineral deposits are classified as follows:

a) Survey and Assessment Level Map of Geological Resources and Mineral Deposits, Exploration, and Mining Activities at Scale 1:25,000;

b) Current Reserves and Resource Map of Mineral Deposits at Scale 1:25,000, 1:10,000;

c) Comprehensive Current Status Map of National Mineral Reserve Areas, Mineral Planning, and Related Plans at Scale 1:25,000, 1:10,000.

Chapter III

CONTENT OF MINERAL RESOURCES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Article 18. Investigation of geological structures with mineral resource potential indicators

1. Identify geological and tectonic factors favorable for the formation and accumulation of minerals.

2. Assess geological entities with mineral generation potential.

3. Define areas and evaluate the possibility of existence of primary minerals, accompanying minerals, and predict hidden or covered mineral deposits.

4. Forecast primary mineral resources to level 334a.

5. Prepare a mineral geology map at a scale of 1:25,000; define areas with prospects for transferring stages of mineral potential assessment.

Article 19. Assessment of Mineral Potential

1. Collect and compile geological, geophysical, and geochemical data to prepare a mineral geology map at a scale of 1:10,000 to 1:5,000 or larger depending on the complexity and size of geological and mineral objects.

Collect and compile geological, geophysical, and geochemical data to prepare a mineral geology map at a scale of 1:10,000 to 1:5,000 or larger depending on the complexity and size of geological and mineral objects to be represented.

2. Determine geological factors affecting the formation, accumulation, and transformation of mineral bodies; determine the distribution patterns of minerals; predict hidden or covered mineral bodies.

3. Preliminarily assess the beneficiation properties of minerals and geological hydrogeological and engineering geological conditions for mineral extraction.

4. Forecast primary mineral resources from level 333 to the resource level; define areas with prospects for transferring exploration and mining stages.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 20. Effective Date

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

Article 21. Organization of Implementation

1. The Director of the Ministry's Office, heads of agencies, organizations, and individuals specified in Article 2 are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. During implementation, if there are any difficulties, please report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for timely review and resolution./.