Circular No. 36/2025/TT-BNNMT on the exploitation of minerals, the exploitation of residual minerals, and the recovery of minerals.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on mining minerals, mining residual minerals, and recovering minerals

minerals and mineral extraction

Based on the Law on Geology and Minerals dated November 29, 2024;

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

Pursuant to Decree No. 136/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 12, 2025 of the Government on the delegation and decentralization in the agricultural and environmental sectors;

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 Environment issues this Circular to regulate mining minerals, mining residual minerals, and recovering minerals.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

This Circular details certain provisions of the Law on Geology and Minerals and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP dated July 2, 2025 of the Government detailing certain provisions and implementing the Law on Geology and Minerals (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP), including:

1. Detailed regulations on Clause 3 Article 57; Point d, Point h, Point i, and Point n Clause 2 Article 59; Clause 2 Article 63; Clause 6 Article 64; Clause 3 Article 69; Point d, Point g, Point i, and Point n Clause 2 Article 70; Point a Clause 1, Point d Clause 2, and Point h Clause 4 Article 73; Clause 3 Article 74; Point c Clause 2 Article 76 of the Law on Geology and Minerals.

2. Detailed regulations on Point b Clause 1, Clause 2, Clause 3 Article 7; Clause 8 Article 59; Clause 8 Article 90; Clause 9 Article 91; Clause 4 Article 92; Clause 7 Article 93; Clause 5 Article 97; Clause 3 Article 98 of Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP.

3. The detailed implementation of the provisions stipulated in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article includes contents regarding registering the start date of basic construction of mines, the start date of mining minerals, mining residual minerals; the retention, updating, and provision of information on supplementary exploration results, mineral mining; the control of actual mineral production volume; the information system and data for monitoring mineral activities; the subjects establishing, submission time, form, and content of current status maps, cross-section drawings of areas permitted to mine minerals; reporting on the results of mineral mining, residual mineral mining, mineral recovery, state management of minerals; adjusting the content of mineral mining, residual mineral mining permits when the permitted mineral reserves have been fully mined but there are still remaining reserves in the mining area and the mineral mining permit, residual mineral mining permit remains valid; surveying and evaluating general information for Group IV minerals, mining plans for Group IV minerals; sample documents and materials in the application dossier for issuing, extending, reissuing, amending, returning mineral mining permits, residual mineral mining permits, transferring mineral mining rights, residual mineral mining rights; sample mineral mining permits for Group IV, documents of the application dossier for issuing mineral mining permits for Group IV; reports and materials on statistics and inventory of mineral reserves.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to state agencies, organizations, communities, households, and individuals related to the contents stipulated in Article 1 of this Circular.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Mineral inundation area is the area where minerals lie within the permitted mineral mining area that cannot be drained dry or cannot use drainage methods during the mining process as determined in the mining project investment content and mine design.

2. Main marker point is the survey marker point established during exploration and basic mine construction and remains stable throughout the mining period.

3. Auxiliary marker point is the additional survey marker point set up between main marker points, not retained long-term for surveying, reflecting detailed topographical elements of the mineral body for preparing current status maps and cross-section drawings.

Chapter II

SURVEYING AND EVALUATING GENERAL INFORMATION

FOR GROUP IV MINERALS

Article 4. General Information Survey and Assessment for Group IV Minerals

1. For areas not subject to auction for mineral exploitation rights, organizations and individuals shall conduct general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals according to the contents stipulated in Article 5 of this Circular after obtaining written approval from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, except in cases provided for in Clause 3 of this Article.

2. For areas subject to auction for mineral exploitation rights, successful bidders shall conduct general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals according to the contents stipulated in Article 5 of this Circular after the competent state management agency approves the auction results for mineral exploitation rights, except in cases provided for in Clause 3 of this Article. Successful bidders for mineral exploitation rights are exempted from the procedure for approval of general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals.

3. Areas that are not required to conduct general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals include:

a) Areas with approved and recognized results of Group IV mineral exploration;

b) Areas with completed general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals that meet the content stipulated in Article 5 of this Circular.

The issuance of mining permits for Group IV minerals is based on the results of Group IV mineral exploration and previous general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals.

4. The organization and implementation of general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals shall be carried out as follows:

a) Organizations and individuals specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article may independently conduct general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals or enter into contracts with organizations having geological survey functions for minerals and mineral exploration to carry out such surveys and assessments;

b) Organizations and individuals directly conducting general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals must bear full responsibility under the law for the results of such surveys and assessments.

5. Prior to conducting general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals, organizations and individuals must notify the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the People's Committee of the commune where the surveys and assessments will be conducted of the time period for their implementation.

6. The results of general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals must be confirmed by the Department of Agriculture and Environment, except in cases provided for in Clause 2 of Article 72 of the Law on Geology and Minerals.

Article 5. Contents of General Information Surveys and Assessments for Group IV Minerals

1. The contents of general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals, except in cases provided for in Clause 2 of this Article, are as follows:

a) Topographic mapping at a scale no less than 1:5,000;

b) Geological traverses shall be carried out as follows: the maximum distance between traverses is 400 meters; the density of survey points ranges from 200-300 points/km2. Each geological survey point in the field must describe geological characteristics, composition, structure, and determine the boundaries of product layers and ore bodies (if any) to serve as the basis for determining the average thickness of product layers and ore bodies within the survey area;

c) Construction of geological works (exposures, pits, wells, or drilling) must determine coordinates and elevations according to the national coordinate and elevation system, control the entire thickness of product layers and ore bodies or control up to the planned mining elevation, and shall be carried out as follows: the maximum distance between construction lines is 400 meters, and the maximum distance between works on the line is 200 meters. In areas smaller than 1.0 hectares and with a distribution length not exceeding 500 meters, there must be at least one representative geological work ensuring control over product layers and ore bodies;

d) Hydrogeological and engineering geological surveys, collection of hydrological data, determination of rainfall in the survey area for the most recent three years;

đ) Sampling and processing samples including: trench samples, core drilling samples, placer samples (for placer deposits), gamma-ray samples, moisture content samples, expansibility samples, mechanical and physical soil samples, radioactivity activity samples;

e) Sample analysis including: basic chemical component analysis for trench samples and core drilling samples and ICP 36 elements (taken from the basic chemical component sample storage, at least 10% of the basic chemical component sample) to determine the beneficial and harmful element components in product layers and ore bodies, mineralogical component analysis, comprehensive mechanical and physical property analysis, determination of moisture content, expansibility coefficient, and radioactivity activity;

g) At least one sample per geological work, with a maximum sample length of 10 meters.

2. For cases provided for in Clause 2 of Article 72 of the Law on Geology and Minerals, the contents of general information surveys and assessments for Group IV minerals are as follows:

a) Topographic mapping at a scale no less than 1:5,000;

b) Construction of at least one representative geological work (exposure, pit, well, or drilling) ensuring control over product layers and ore bodies or up to the planned mining elevation; the geological work must determine coordinates and elevations according to the national coordinate and elevation system;

c) Sampling, processing, and analysis of samples: ICP 36 elements to determine the beneficial and harmful element components in product layers and ore bodies; radioactivity activity sample.

3. Geological work construction techniques shall be implemented according to technical regulations on excavation works and geological and mineral sampling at excavation sites; procedures for sample collection, processing, analysis, and quality control and handling shall be carried out according to current regulations. Mineral volume calculation methods shall be applied according to reserve and resource calculation methods and selected appropriately based on the characteristics of product layers and ore bodies to ensure reliability, with the unit of measurement being cubic meters.

Article 6. Approval for surveying and evaluating general information on Group IV minerals in areas not subject to bidding for mineral exploitation rights

a) Organizations and individuals meeting the financial capacity conditions stipulated in Clause 3, Article 53 of the Law on Geology and Minerals, and Article 55 of Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP dated July 2, 2025, detailing certain provisions and implementation measures of the Law on Geology and Minerals;

b) In cases where more than one organization or individual meets the conditions specified in point a of this clause, preference shall be given to the organization or individual with complete application documents in accordance with the provisions of Clause 2 of this Article submitted earlier (based on the date of submission of the application documents); in cases where more than one organization or individual submits application documents on the same day, preference shall be given to the organization or individual with larger capital ownership.

a) Original: A request for approval to survey and evaluate general information on Group IV minerals;

b) Certified copy or copy with original for comparison or certified electronic copy from the original: A document proving capital ownership in accordance with Article 55 of Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP.

a) Original: A request for approval to survey and evaluate general information on Group IV minerals; a letter introducing the project investor, construction works, construction sub-projects, emergency mobilization measures as stipulated in points a and b of Clause 2, Article 72 of the Law on Geology and Minerals;

b) Certified copy or copy with original for comparison or certified electronic copy from the original: A document approving the selection as a contractor.

4. The procedures for approving surveying and evaluating general information on Group IV minerals are carried out as follows:

a) Organizations and individuals requesting approval to survey and evaluate general information on Group IV minerals submit one set of application documents in accordance with Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article to the Department of Agriculture and Environment. If the application documents are complete, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will accept them in accordance with regulations. If the application documents are incomplete, they will not be accepted, and the reasons for non-acceptance will be clearly stated on the supplementary and completion request form in accordance with the Government's regulations on accepting administrative procedure documents;

b) Within no more than five working days from the date of receiving complete application documents, the Department of Agriculture and Environment is responsible for checking the coordinates and area of the proposed survey and evaluation site and conducting on-site inspections (if necessary); if necessary, sending a document to seek opinions from relevant agencies regarding prohibited mining areas, temporarily prohibited mining areas for the proposed survey and evaluation site.

The time for on-site inspection (if any) is decided by the Department of Agriculture and Environment but must be completed before approving the survey and evaluation of general information on Group IV minerals as stipulated in point d of this clause;

c) Within no more than three working days from the date the Department of Agriculture and Environment sends the document seeking opinions as stipulated in point b of this clause, the agency sought for opinions is responsible for responding in writing to related issues. After the deadline stipulated in this clause, if the agency sought for opinions does not provide a written response, it is deemed to have agreed and must bear responsibility for the relevant contents in the mineral exploitation permit application;

d) Within no more than one working day from the completion of the contents stipulated in points b and c of this clause, the Department of Agriculture and Environment approves or disapproves the survey and evaluation of general information on Group IV minerals and notifies the organization or individual receiving the result of the application for approval to survey and evaluate general information on Group IV minerals. In the case of disapproval, a written response must be provided with clear reasons.

Article 7. Confirmation of Survey and Assessment Results for Common Information on Group IV Minerals

1. The application dossier for confirmation of survey and assessment results for common information on Group IV minerals shall include the original: Request for confirmation of survey and assessment results for common information on Group IV minerals; report on survey and assessment results for common information on Group IV minerals (in case of paper submission, a digital copy must be attached).

2. The procedures for confirming survey and assessment results for common information on Group IV minerals shall be carried out as follows:

b) Within ten days from the date of receiving the dossier, the Department of Agriculture and Environment shall be responsible for checking, reviewing the dossier, and assessing the contents of the report on survey and assessment results for common information on Group IV minerals.

If necessary, the Department of Agriculture and Environment may seek opinions from experts and related agencies regarding the contents of the report on survey and assessment results for common information on Group IV minerals. The time taken to seek opinions shall not be counted towards the dossier assessment period.

c) Within five working days from the date the Department of Agriculture and Environment issues a document seeking opinions in accordance with Point b of this Clause (if applicable), the agency requested to provide opinions shall be responsible for responding in writing to relevant issues. After the deadline stipulated in this Clause, if the agency does not provide a written response, it shall be deemed to have agreed and shall bear responsibility for the relevant contents.

d) In cases where the contents of the report on survey and assessment results for common information on Group IV minerals need to be supplemented and completed, the Department of Agriculture and Environment shall issue a document requesting organizations and individuals to supplement and complete, specifying the required contents. The request for supplementation and completion shall only be implemented once. If the report on survey and assessment results for common information on Group IV minerals, after being supplemented and completed, still fails to meet the initial requirements, another request for supplementation and completion may be proposed, but no new requirements shall arise.

In cases where, after re-supplementing and completing, the report on survey and assessment results for common information on Group IV minerals still fails to meet the prescribed requirements, the Department of Agriculture and Environment shall suspend the assessment and return the application dossier for confirmation of survey and assessment results for common information on Group IV minerals. Organizations and individuals in such cases have the right to resubmit the dossier, but it will be considered a new submission.

đ) Within two working days from the completion of the contents specified in Points b, c, and d of this Clause, the Department of Agriculture and Environment shall decide whether to confirm or not confirm the survey and assessment results for common information on Group IV minerals and notify the organization or individual who submitted the application dossier for confirmation of survey and assessment results for common information on Group IV minerals. In case of non-confirmation, a written response must be provided stating the reasons.

Chapter III

MINERAL EXPLORATION,

MINERAL EXHAUSTION AND RECOVERY

Article 8. Registration and Notification of the Date of Commencement of Mine Construction and Mineral Extraction

1. Organizations and individuals granted mineral extraction permits, mineral extraction tailings permits shall:

a) Register the date of commencement of mine construction and the date of commencement of mineral extraction with the competent state management agency issuing the mineral extraction permit or mineral extraction tailings permit at least 15 days before carrying out such activities. The registration dossier shall comply with the provisions of Clause 2 of this Article. In case of changes to the implementation time, organizations and individuals must re-register in writing.

2. The registration dossier for the date of commencement of mine construction and the date of commencement of mineral extraction includes:

a) The original registration document for the date of commencement of mine construction;

b) A certified copy or a copy accompanied by the original for comparison or an electronically certified copy from the original: the land transfer document, lease agreement in accordance with the laws on land.

Article 9. Retention, Updating, and Provision of Information on Supplementary Exploration Results and Mineral Extraction Results

1. Organizations and individuals engaged in mineral extraction and mineral extraction tailings must retain complete files and bear full responsibility under the law and state management agencies for the accuracy, truthfulness, and completeness of information and documents in the files, including:

a) Files on supplementary exploration results when supplementary exploration is carried out during mineral extraction;

b) Files on mineral extraction and mineral extraction tailing results from the date of commencement of mine construction until the end of mineral extraction and closure of the mineral mine.

2. Originals (including paper copies and digital electronic copies) of the files specified in Clause 1 of this Article shall be retained at the headquarters of organizations and individuals engaged in mineral extraction and mineral extraction tailings. In cases where the headquarters of organizations and individuals are not located at the same address as the mineral extraction project site, in addition to retaining the originals at the headquarters, organizations and individuals must retain one set of copies at the office where the mineral extraction project is carried out.

3. Any acts of falsifying, distorting files on supplementary exploration results, mineral extraction results, or tailing extraction results, or amending retained files will be strictly dealt with according to the law.

4. Organizations and individuals engaged in solid mineral extraction and mineral extraction tailings have the responsibility to update supplementary exploration results and mineral extraction results on current status maps and cross-section drawings.

5. When authorized agencies request presentation or provision of files on supplementary exploration results and mineral extraction results, organizations and individuals engaged in mineral extraction and mineral extraction tailings have the responsibility to present or provide complete files as required.

Article 10. Control of Mineral Extraction Volume

1. Organizations and individuals extracting minerals, extracting residual minerals must install equipment to control the volume of extracted minerals in accordance with Clauses 4, 5, and 6 of Article 59 of Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Books, certificates, documents serving as the basis for monitoring, controlling, statistics, inventory of the volume of extracted minerals, remaining minerals include:

a) A book recording and statistically summarizing the volume of raw minerals, the volume of waste rock (if any), the volume of minerals put into processing, and the volume of minerals after the processing stage according to the mineral extraction project. The data shall be recorded and summarized daily in the tracking book in accordance with Point a of Clause 2 of Article 22 of this Circular;

The provisions at this point only apply to minerals listed in Item 1 and Item 2 of Part I of Appendix I promulgated together with Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP.

c) Current status maps, cross-sections of the current status of the mineral extraction area established in accordance with Articles 12, 13, 14, and 15 of this Circular;

d) Declarations and settlement certificates for resource tax payments and environmental protection fees in accordance with the laws on resource taxes and environmental protection fees.

3. Data and information in books, certificates, documents prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article and periodic reports on mineral activities, statistical reports on the volume of extracted minerals, inventory reports on remaining mineral reserves must be consistent. In case the data in the books, certificates, documents prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article differ by more than 10% from the data in the tracking and statistical books prescribed in Point a of Clause 2 of this Article, organizations and individuals extracting minerals, extracting residual minerals must bear the responsibility to explain and bear all legal responsibilities for the content of their explanations.

4. Responsibilities for managing and retaining books, certificates, documents related to control, statistics, inventory of the volume of extracted minerals, remaining minerals are implemented as follows:

a) Organizations and individuals extracting minerals, extracting residual minerals must retain complete books, certificates, documents prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article from the start of basic construction of the mine until the end of extraction and closure of the mine and must bear full legal responsibility as well as state management agencies for the accuracy, truthfulness, and completeness of the recorded, tracked, and statistical information in the books, documents, and reports.

In case organizations and individuals fail to establish or establish incomplete or lose books, certificates, documents about mineral extraction volumes or information and data are incomplete and inaccurate, they will be handled according to the law depending on the nature and degree of consequences caused.

b) Original copies (including paper copies and digital electronic copies) of books, certificates, documents prescribed in Points a, b, and c of Clause 2 of this Article are retained at the headquarters of organizations and individuals extracting minerals, extracting residual minerals. In case the headquarters of organizations and individuals are not located at the same address as the implementation site of the mineral extraction project, residual mineral extraction project, in addition to the original copies retained at the headquarters, organizations and individuals must retain one set of copies at the mine office where the mineral extraction project, residual mineral extraction project is carried out.

c) When the information system and data on mineral activities of state management agencies are completed, organizations and individuals extracting minerals, extracting residual minerals shall directly establish the books and documents prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article on the system.

Article 11. Information System and Data for Monitoring Mineral Extraction Activities

1. Organizations and individuals extracting minerals (excluding Group IV minerals), and those extracting residual minerals must establish a management, analysis, and data synthesis system on mineral activities, connecting this system to devices specified in Clause 1 of Article 10 of this Circular.

2. The data of the system stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall be divided into two types, including:

a) Identification data, including: Name of organizations and individuals extracting minerals, residual minerals; mining permits for minerals, residual minerals. This identification data must be linked to the monitoring data of mineral extraction activities;

b) Production volume monitoring data for minerals obtained from weighing equipment, measuring devices, and records specified in Clause 1, Point a and Point b of Clause 2 of Article 10 of this Circular, including: Raw mineral production volume, mineral production volume for processing, and mineral production volume after processing according to the mineral extraction project.

3. Organizations and individuals extracting minerals, residual minerals have the responsibility to connect and share data and information from devices and systems specified in Clause 1 of this Article with the information and data system on mineral activities of state management agencies according to the timeline prescribed in Clause 3 of Article 59 of the Law on Geology and Minerals, Clause 7 of Article 58 of Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP, and Clause 4 of this Article.

4. The connection and sharing of data as prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article shall be carried out as follows:

a) Data from weighing equipment and measuring devices must be transmitted to the server of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development not more than once every day, ensuring chronological order. In case of transmission interruption, both old and current data should be sent simultaneously when reconnection occurs.

b) Provided data must ensure timeliness, accuracy, and cannot be altered or distorted before or during transmission.

Article 12. Establishment, Updating, Submission, and Retention of Current Status Maps and Cross-Section Drawings for Solid Minerals

1. Organizations and individuals extracting solid minerals must establish current status maps and cross-section drawings of the permitted mining area from the start of basic mine construction; throughout the mineral extraction process until the end of mineral extraction (mine closure).

For the extraction of natural hot water, natural mineral water, and associated gas with natural hot water and natural mineral water, there is no need to establish current status maps and cross-section drawings of the permitted mining area.

2. Current status maps and cross-section drawings of the permitted mining area must be established annually based on regular updates, with the establishment and update date ending on December 31 each year, and submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development where the mine is located before February 1 of the following year.

3. Based on the information and data from current status maps and cross-section drawings of the permitted mining area, organizations and individuals extracting minerals, residual minerals calculate and determine the remaining unextracted mineral reserves; compare and evaluate changes in actual extracted mineral reserves and quality with permitted mineral reserves and exploration results, survey and assessment results of general information on Group IV minerals that have been confirmed (approved, recognized); explain and determine the reasons for discrepancies (if any).

4. Current status maps and cross-section drawings of the permitted mining area shall be retained in accordance with Point b of Clause 4 of Article 10 of this Circular.

5. Organizations and individuals extracting minerals, residual minerals directly establish current status maps and cross-section drawings if they meet the conditions stipulated by laws on surveying and mapping. In cases where other organizations are hired to establish current status maps and cross-section drawings, the hired organization must have all necessary functions and meet the conditions stipulated by laws on surveying and mapping.

6. Organizations establishing current status maps and cross-section drawings shall bear full responsibility under the law and before state management agencies for the accuracy, truthfulness, completeness of the information and data, and the appropriateness of the content and form displayed on current status maps and cross-section drawings.

Article 13. Form of the current status map and cross-section drawing of the area permitted to extract minerals

1. The current status map and cross-section drawing of the area permitted to extract minerals must meet the following requirements:

a) The current status map of the area permitted to extract minerals shall be prepared on the basis of a topographic map with the VN-2000 coordinate system, central meridian, and projection compatible with the mining area map attached to the mineral extraction permit, the mineral extraction tailings permit; it must ensure the full representation of all contents according to the current regulations on mapping, information related to the mineral bodies being extracted within the permitted extraction area at the time of preparation;

b) The cross-section drawing of the current status of the area permitted to extract minerals must show the volume of extraction between cross-sections; information about the morphology, position, and geological structure of the mineral bodies being extracted at the time of preparation;

c) The current status map and cross-section drawing of the current status of the area permitted to extract minerals must reflect accurately the actual information and data at the time of preparation. The symbols, forms, and contents of the elements shown on the current status map and cross-section drawing of the area permitted to extract minerals must be consistent with the maps, drawings, and cross-sections in the report on the results of mineral exploration, survey reports, general information assessment reports on Group IV minerals, exploitation plans for Group IV minerals, mineral exploitation investment projects, approved mine designs;

d) The current status map of the area permitted to extract minerals must cover the entire area of the mineral extraction project.

2. The current status map of the area permitted to extract minerals has a scale of 1:1,000, 1:2,000, or 1:5,000. The cross-section drawing of the current status of the area permitted to extract minerals has the same scale or a larger scale than that of the current status map of the area permitted to extract minerals.

Article 14. Content of the current status map of the area permitted to extract minerals

1. For minerals extracted by open-pit method (except in cases provided for in Clause 2 of this Article), the current status map of the area permitted to extract minerals includes the following contents:

a) Geodetic information: Contour lines, geodetic markers (main markers, auxiliary markers, control points), elevation of the mining area, permitted extraction boundary, mining area boundary during the update period (if applicable), terrain features, hydrographic systems, transportation routes (open strip roads, internal mine transport roads, etc.);

b) Geological information: Stratigraphic units, faults, folds, position of the ore body and seam, and surrounding rock and soil. Geological information must be updated and supplemented during the extraction process (if applicable);

c) Mineral information: Boundaries of the ore body and seam and their position; blocks of reserves and resources, exploration works and their numbers; mineral information (including accompanying minerals) according to pre-extraction exploration stages, supplementary exploration (if applicable), during the extraction process; accompanying minerals (updated similarly to main minerals); locations of additional sampling (if applicable);

d) Mining area information: Mine construction projects, open-pit boundaries, working bench lines, working face lines currently being mined or completed mining lines, auxiliary facilities, waste storage areas, dump sites, internal and external mine transportation systems at the time of preparing the current status map;

2. For flooded mineral mines, the current status map of the area permitted to extract minerals includes the following contents:

a) Geodetic information: Contour lines, geodetic markers (main markers, auxiliary markers), contour lines of the bottom terrain depth, current terrain elevation of the mining area and its vicinity;

b) Mineral information: Contour lines of ore body thickness, blocks of reserves, exploration works, locations already mined, locations currently being mined, locations of waste disposal (if applicable).

3. For underground mines extracted by shaft and drift methods, the current status map of the area permitted to extract minerals includes the following contents:

a) Geodetic information: Contour lines, geodetic markers (main markers, auxiliary markers), height points, permitted extraction boundary, mining area boundary during the update period (if applicable), terrain features, hydrographic systems;

b) Geological information: Stratigraphic units, faults, folds, position of the ore body and seam, and surrounding rock and soil. Geological information must be updated and supplemented during the extraction process (if applicable);

c) Mineral information: Boundaries of the ore body and seam and their position; blocks of reserves, exploration works and their numbers; mineral information according to pre-extraction exploration stages, supplementary exploration during the extraction process; accompanying minerals (updated similarly to main minerals); locations of additional sampling (if applicable);

d) Mining area information: Mine construction projects; positions and parameters of development, preparation, and extraction drifts (main shafts, auxiliary shafts, surface stations, ventilation drifts, upper drifts, market drifts for extraction, etc.), other auxiliary facilities serving mineral extraction activities at the time of preparing the current status map.

4. The content displayed on the current status map as stipulated in this Article shall be implemented in accordance with the current technical standards and specifications on surveying and mapping.

Article 15. Content of the cross-section drawing of the current status of the area permitted to extract minerals

1. The cross-section drawing of the current status for surface mining methods (including flooded mineral deposits) shall be established based on the following documents: volume block diagram, equal grade wall plan, mineral body pillar layout, and reserve calculation cross-section in the mineral exploration result report used to prepare the investment project for mineral extraction, mine design, and updated with current extraction information at the time of preparing the cross-section drawing.

2. The cross-section drawing of the current status must fully reflect basic information including: geological characteristics (stratigraphic position, geological age), boundaries of the extraction area, exploration works before extraction and additional exploration during extraction (if any); mineral body and seam (thickness, orientation, structure, quality of the mineral) and changes in the main mineral body and seam, accompanying minerals; surrounding rock around the main mineral body and seam, accompanying minerals. The cross-section drawing of the current status must be clearly shown on the attached current status map; depth and elevation parameters must be fully and accurately displayed; there must be a legend showing the calculation of the extracted volume between cross-sections during the extraction period.

3. In cases where, at the time of preparing the cross-section drawing of the current status, the extraction location (open-pit, shaft) has not been previously traversed by geological exploration lines, it is necessary to supplement at least two cross-section drawings of the current status. All cross-section drawings (including supplementary cross-sections) must be consistent with the exploration lines and cover the entire currently exploited area, any additional exploration works (if any) at the time of preparation, ensuring the maximum display of information and data about the current status of the exploitation activities.

Article 16. Report on the results of mineral extraction activities, residual mineral extraction, recovery; report on the management situation of state geological and mineral resources

1. Organizations and individuals extracting and recovering minerals must prepare reports on the results of mineral extraction activities, residual mineral extraction, and recovery in the following cases:

a) Regular report on the results of mineral extraction activities, residual mineral extraction, and recovery: To be prepared and submitted before February 15 of the year immediately following the reporting year, the reporting period being one year (from January 1 to December 31).

b) Report on the results of mineral extraction, residual mineral extraction when extending, reissuing, adjusting, returning mineral extraction permits; extending, adjusting, returning residual mineral extraction permits; transferring rights to extract minerals, rights to extract residual minerals: The reporting period from the date of issuance of the mineral extraction permit, residual mineral extraction permit to the date of application for extension, reissuance, adjustment, return of the mineral extraction permit, residual mineral extraction permit; transfer of rights to extract minerals, rights to extract residual minerals.

c) Statistical report on the reserves and volumes of extracted minerals: To be integrated into the regular mineral activity report as stipulated in point a of this clause.

d) Inventory report on remaining mineral reserves at the time of submitting the application for extension, reissuance, adjustment, transfer, return of mineral extraction permits, residual mineral extraction permits, and closure of mineral mines: To be integrated into the report on the results of mineral extraction, residual mineral extraction as stipulated in point b of this clause.

e) Ad hoc report: To be carried out according to the requirements of the competent authority.

2. The report specified in point a of Clause 1 of this Article shall be submitted to the following agencies:

c) For natural hot water extraction permits, natural mineral water extraction permits; associated gas with natural hot water, natural mineral water; Group I minerals; confirmation of registration for recovery of Group I minerals under the authority of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Industry and Trade.

d) For mineral extraction permits, confirmation of registration for recovery of Group III minerals (excluding natural hot water, natural mineral water; associated gas with natural hot water, natural mineral water), Group IV minerals, Group II minerals under the authority of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Construction.

e) For confirmation of registration for recovery of minerals under the authority of the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee: Commune People's Committee.

3. The reports specified in points b and d of Clause 1 of this Article shall be submitted to the competent authorities responsible for extending, reissuing, adjusting, returning mineral extraction permits, residual mineral extraction permits; transferring rights to extract minerals, rights to extract residual minerals.

4. The report specified in point c of Clause 1 of this Article shall be submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

5. The report specified in point e of Clause 1 of this Article shall be submitted to the competent authority according to the request.

6. The provincial People's Committee, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall prepare annual reports on the management situation of state geological and mineral resources as follows:

a) The provincial People's Committee shall report on the management situation of state geological and mineral resources within the province, centrally-administered city to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Ministry of Construction for consolidation. The submission deadline for the report is before March 1 each year.

b) The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall report on the management situation regarding geology and minerals nationwide to the Prime Minister before June 1st each year.

Article 17. Adjustment of Content of Mineral Extraction Licenses and Mineral Recovery Licenses in Cases Specified in Point n Clause 2 Article 59 and Point n Clause 2 Article 70 of the Law on Geology and Minerals

1. During the process of extracting minerals and recovering mineral residues (except for cases of extracting sand and gravel from riverbeds, lake beds, and marine areas), based on the results of statistical reserves and quantities of extracted minerals, inventory of remaining unextracted mineral reserves and quantities, organizations and individuals responsible must evaluate and compare the total actual reserves and quantities of minerals in the extraction area with the permitted reserves and quantities of minerals stipulated in the mineral extraction license.

In cases where the total actual reserves and quantities of minerals in the extraction area exceed the permitted reserves and quantities of minerals stipulated in the mineral extraction license and the organization or individual extracting minerals has a need to continue extracting the additional reserves, they must follow the procedures to adjust the content of the mineral extraction license and the mineral recovery license as prescribed.

2. In cases where the permitted reserves and quantities of minerals stipulated in the mineral extraction license and the mineral recovery license have been fully extracted but the procedures to adjust the content of the mineral extraction license and the mineral recovery license have not yet been completed, the organization or individual must cease extraction activities, even if the mineral extraction license and the mineral recovery license still have remaining extraction periods.

3. Organizations and individuals may only continue to extract the additional reserves and quantities of minerals after being authorized by the competent state management agency to adjust the content of the mineral extraction license and the mineral recovery license to supplement the permitted reserves and quantities of minerals according to the provisions of the law.

1. The plan for extracting minerals includes: A descriptive section comprising economic and technical reports and environmental protection reports; appendices and technical maps and drawings attached.

2. The descriptive section of the plan for extracting minerals includes the following main contents:

a) Basic information about the proposed mineral extraction area such as geological characteristics of the deposit; coordinates, area, depth, boundaries of the extraction area, auxiliary areas for mineral extraction activities associated with the extraction area, safety corridors during mining operations; quantity and quality of minerals proposed for extraction; purpose of using minerals; extraction capacity, duration of extraction;

b) Techniques and technologies in extracting Group IV minerals such as: sequence of extraction, extraction system, extraction technology; mine transportation; disposal of waste materials;

c) Support solutions and infrastructure such as: power supply, water supply, drainage solutions during the extraction process; mine safety technology; production organization;

d) Land clearance and resettlement plans (if applicable);

đ) Financial analysis such as: budget for implementing the extraction plan; investment capital, cost determination, economic effectiveness assessment;

e) Self-assessment of the environmental impact of mineral extraction activities and mitigation measures; rehabilitation measures; determination of environmental restoration guarantee amounts; commitments of organizations and individuals to protect the environment during mineral extraction.

3. Appendices and attached technical maps and drawings must be consistent with the content of the descriptive section of the mineral extraction plan.

Chapter IV

SAMPLE DOCUMENTS AND TEXTS IN THE ACTIVITY

OF MINERAL EXTRACTION, MINERAL RECOVERY,

MINERAL RETRIEVAL

Article 19. Sample documents and materials in the dossier on surveying and evaluating Group IV minerals

1. The sample document requesting in the dossier on surveying and evaluating Group IV minerals shall be carried out as follows:

a) The document requesting approval for surveying and evaluating general information on Group IV minerals shall be established according to Model No. 01 of Appendix I issued together with this Circular;

b) The document requesting confirmation of the results of surveying and evaluating general information on Group IV minerals shall be established according to Model No. 02 of Appendix I issued together with this Circular;

2. The map in the dossier on surveying and evaluating Group IV minerals shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 4, Article 20 of this Circular and Model No. 35 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular.

3. The sample document approving and confirming in the exploitation of Group IV minerals shall be carried out as follows:

a) The document approving surveying and evaluating general information on Group IV minerals shall be established according to Model No. 03 of Appendix I issued together with this Circular;

b) The document confirming the results of surveying and evaluating general information on Group IV minerals shall be established according to Model No. 04 of Appendix I issued together with this Circular.

4. The report on the results of surveying and evaluating general information on Group IV minerals shall be established according to Model No. 05 of Appendix I issued together with this Circular.

1. The sample document requesting in the dossier for issuing, extending, reissuing, amending, returning mining permits, mining permits for residual mineral extraction, transferring mining rights, residual mineral extraction rights shall be carried out as follows:

a) The document requesting issuance of mining permits for Groups I, II, and III minerals shall be established according to Model No. 01 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

b) The document requesting issuance of mining permits for Group IV minerals shall be established according to Model No. 02 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

c) The document requesting issuance of mining permits for residual mineral extraction shall be established according to Model No. 03 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

d) The document requesting extension of mining permits for Groups I, II, and III minerals shall be established according to Model No. 04 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

đ) The document requesting extension of mining permits for Group IV minerals shall be established according to Model No. 05 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

e) The document requesting extension of mining permits for residual mineral extraction shall be established according to Model No. 06 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

g) The document requesting reissuance (or replacement) of mining permits for Groups I, II, and III minerals shall be established according to Model No. 07 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

h) The document requesting amendment of the content of mining permits shall be established according to Model No. 08 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

i) The document requesting amendment of the content of mining permits for residual mineral extraction shall be established according to Model No. 09 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

k) The document requesting return of mining permits shall be established according to Model No. 10 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

l) The document requesting return of mining permits for residual mineral extraction shall be established according to Model No. 11 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

m) The document requesting transfer of mining rights for Groups I, II, and III minerals shall be established according to Model No. 12 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

n) The document requesting transfer of mining rights for residual mineral extraction shall be established according to Model No. 13 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular.

2. The sample mining permit for mining minerals, mining permit for residual mineral extraction shall be carried out as follows:

b) The mining permit for minerals within the authority to issue of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall be established according to Model No. 15 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

c) The mining permit for residual mineral extraction shall be established according to Model No. 16 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

đ) The mining permit for minerals (extension) within the authority to issue of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall be established according to Model No. 18 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

e) The mining permit for residual mineral extraction (extension) shall be established according to Model No. 19 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

h) The mining permit for minerals (reissuance or replacement) within the authority to issue of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall be established according to Model No. 21 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

k) The mining permit for minerals (transfer) within the authority to issue of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall be established according to Model No. 23 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

l) The mining permit for residual mineral extraction (transfer) shall be established according to Model No. 24 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

3. The sample decision on amending, returning, revoking mining permits, mining permits for residual mineral extraction shall be carried out as follows:

b) The decision on amending the content of mining permits within the authority to issue of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (except for cases of amendment to return part of the area of the mining area for Group IV minerals) shall be established according to Model No. 26 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

c) The decision on amending the content of mining permits for Group IV minerals to return part of the area of the mining area shall be established according to Model No. 26 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

d) The decision on amending the content of mining permits for residual mineral extraction shall be established according to Model No. 28 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

e) The decision allowing return of mining permits for Groups I, II, and III minerals within the authority to issue of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall be established according to Model No. 30 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

g) Decision to permit the return of mining licenses for Group IV minerals established according to Model No. 31 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

h) Decision to permit the return of mining licenses for residual mineral extraction established according to Model No. 32 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

k) Decision to revoke mining licenses within the authority of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee established according to Model No. 34 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

4. Maps and drawings in the application dossier for issuance, extension, reissuance, amendment, return of mining licenses, residual mineral extraction licenses, transfer of mining rights, residual mineral extraction rights shall be carried out as follows:

a) Maps and drawings established according to Model No. 35 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

b) Maps established on the basis of national topographic maps or extracted from national topographic maps, using the VN-2000 coordinate system, central meridian;

c) The scale of maps and drawings must not be less than 1:5,000 for areas smaller than 0.5 km², not less than 1:10,000 for areas from 0.5 km² to under 2 km², not less than 1:25,000 for areas from 2 km² to under 5 km², and not less than 1:50,000 for areas of 5 km² or more;

5. Report on the results of mineral exploitation activities established according to Model No. 36 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular.

Article 21. Sample documents in the application dossier for confirmation of registration for mineral recovery

1. Sample document requesting mineral recovery shall be carried out as follows:

b) Registration form for mineral recovery in cases prescribed at point b and point c, Clause 1, Article 75 of the Law on Geology and Minerals established according to Model No. 02 of Appendix III issued together with this Circular;

2. Report on the location, volume, type, time of implementation of mineral recovery within the scope of the area implementing the investment project for mineral exploitation established according to Model No. 04 of Appendix III issued together with this Circular;

3. Sample Confirmation Certificate for Mineral Recovery Registration shall be carried out as follows:

a) Confirmation Certificate for Mineral Recovery Registration within the authority of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee established according to Model No. 05 of Appendix III issued together with this Circular;

b) Confirmation Certificate for Mineral Recovery Registration within the authority of the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee established according to Model No. 06 of Appendix III issued together with this Circular.

Article 22. Templates for documents and records in the management of mineral extraction activities, residual mineral extraction, and mineral recovery

1. The template for registering the start date of mine construction and the start date of mineral extraction shall be carried out as follows:

a) The registration document for the start date of mine construction and the start date of mineral extraction shall be prepared according to Model No. 01 of Appendix IV issued together with this Circular;

b) The notification document for the start date of mine construction and the start date of mineral extraction shall be prepared according to Model No. 02 of Appendix IV issued together with this Circular.

2. The templates for record books tracking production volume and quality of extracted minerals shall be implemented as follows:

a) The record book for tracking and statistics on the volume of raw minerals, the volume of overburden (if any), the volume of minerals sent for processing, and the volume of processed minerals shall be prepared according to Model No. 03 of Appendix IV issued together with this Circular;

b) The record book for tracking the content and ratio of valuable minerals in raw minerals that have been extracted, in concentrate or products obtained after the processing stage according to the mineral extraction project shall be prepared according to Model No. 04 of Appendix IV issued together with this Circular.

3. The current status map and cross-sectional drawing of the mining area shall be prepared according to Model No. 35 of Appendix II issued together with this Circular.

4. Templates for reports in the management of mineral extraction and recovery activities shall be implemented as follows:

a) Periodic reports on the operation of Group I, Group II, and Group III mineral extraction activities shall be prepared according to Model No. 05 of Appendix IV issued together with this Circular;

b) Periodic reports on the operation of Group IV mineral extraction activities shall be prepared according to Model No. 06 of Appendix IV issued together with this Circular;

c) Periodic reports on residual mineral extraction activities shall be prepared according to Model No. 07 of Appendix IV issued together with this Circular;

d) Periodic reports on mineral recovery activities shall be prepared according to Model No. 08 of Appendix IV issued together with this Circular;

đ) Reports on the situation of state management of geology and minerals within the province or centrally governed city shall be prepared according to Model No. 09 of Appendix IV issued together with this Circular.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 23. Transitional Provisions

1. Documents and templates in the mineral extraction dossier that have already been established according to previous models still retain their legal validity.

2. Dossiers requesting approval for surveying and evaluating general information on Group IV minerals, and dossiers requesting confirmation of surveying and evaluation results of general information on Group IV minerals which were accepted by competent authorities before the effective date of this Circular shall continue to be implemented according to Circular No. 01/2025/TT-BTNMT dated January 15, 2025, of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment detailing certain provisions of the Law on Geology and Minerals regarding Group IV mineral extraction.

3. In cases where organizations or individuals have won the auction for mineral extraction rights or have been approved by competent authorities for surveying and evaluating general information on Group IV minerals before the effective date of this Circular but have not yet completed the surveying and evaluation of general information on Group IV minerals, they shall continue to implement according to Circular No. 01/2025/TT-BTNMT dated January 15, 2025, of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment detailing certain provisions of the Law on Geology and Minerals regarding Group IV mineral extraction, except for the procedure for confirming the results of surveying and evaluating general information on Group IV minerals, which shall be implemented according to this Circular.

Article 24. Effective Date

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

2. From the date this Circular takes effect, the following Circulars shall cease to be enforced:

a) Circular No. 51/2015/TT-BTNMT dated November 26, 2015, of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment guiding the content of specialized inspections of mineral resources;

b) Circular No. 45/2016/TT-BTNMT dated December 26, 2016, of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment stipulating exploration plans for mineral resources, closure plans for mineral mines, and templates for reporting the results of mineral resource activities, templates for documents in the permit application dossier for mineral resource activities, and dossiers for approving mineral reserves; procedures and formalities for closing mineral mines;

c) Circular No. 51/2017/TT-BTNMT dated November 30, 2017, of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing some articles of Circular No. 45/2016/TT-BTNMT dated December 26, 2016, stipulating exploration plans for mineral resources, closure plans for mineral mines, and templates for reporting the results of mineral resource activities, templates for documents in the permit application dossier for mineral resource activities, and dossiers for approving mineral reserves; procedures and formalities for closing mineral mines;

d) Circular No. 17/2020/TT-BTNMT dated December 24, 2020, of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment stipulating the preparation of maps, cross-sectional drawings of the current status of permitted mining areas, statistics and inventory of extracted mineral reserves, and procedures, methods, and forms for determining actual mineral extraction volumes;

đ) Article 1 of Circular No. 19/2023/TT-BTNMT dated November 15, 2023, of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and abolishing some circulars within the authority to issue of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment;

e) Circular No. 01/2025/TT-BTNMT dated January 15, 2025, of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment detailing certain provisions of the Law on Geology and Minerals regarding Group IV mineral extraction, except for the cases stipulated in Clause 3 and Clause 4 of Article 23 of this Circular.

Article 25. Responsibility for Implementation

1. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, governmental agencies, and Chairpersons of People's Committees at all levels shall be responsible for directing the implementation of this Circular.

2. Departments of Agriculture and Environment of provinces and centrally governed cities shall be responsible for assisting provincial People's Committees in implementing this Circular at the local level.

3. Organizations and individuals related to this matter shall be responsible for enforcing this Circular./.