Circular No. 53/2014/TT-BTNMT on submitting geological samples and minerals to the Geological Museum

CIRCULAR

Regulations on submitting geological samples and minerals to the Geological Museum

Pursuant to the Minerals Law No. 60/2010/QH12 dated November 17, 2010;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 102/2008/NĐ-CP, September 15, 2008, on the collection, management, exploitation, and utilization of data on natural resources and the environment;

Pursuant to Decree No. 21/2013/NĐ-CP dated March 4, 2013, promulgated by the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

At the proposal of the Director General of the Vietnam Geological and Mineral Resources Administration and the Department Head of the Legal Affairs Department;

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment promulgates this Circular to regulate the submission of geological samples and minerals to the Geological Museum,

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular provides detailed regulations for Point e, Clause 2, Article 23 of the Minerals Law regarding the submission of geological samples and minerals to the Geological Museum during basic geological surveys for minerals.

Article 2. Applicability

State management agencies for minerals; the Geological Museum and organizations and individuals conducting basic geological surveys for minerals.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

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

1. Geological samples and minerals (hereinafter referred to as samples) are rock specimens, fossil specimens, and mineral specimens in their natural state or mechanically processed.

2. Newly discovered samples are those that have not been found in the construction area of the basic geological survey for minerals project.

Article 4. Types of samples submitted to the Geological Museum

1. Rock specimens, including sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks, and tectonic rocks with distinctive characteristics representing geological formations distributed in the region and the area of the basic geological survey for minerals project; newly discovered rock specimens.

2. Newly discovered fossil specimens identified to species and having dating value.

3. Mineral specimens in their natural state include:

a) Fuel minerals: coal, lignite;

b) Metal minerals, including ores such as iron, manganese, chromite, molybdenum, tungsten, nickel, bismuth, lithium, antimony, copper, lead, zinc, tin, bauxite, titanium, rare earths, gold, silver, platinum;

c) Industrial minerals: apatite, barite, fluorite, phosphate, serpentine, talc, asbestos, vermiculite, mica, dolomite, feldspar, kaolin, quartzite, magnesite, ceramic clay, fire clay, bentonite, glass sand, diatomite, graphite, white marble, quartz;

d) Precious and semi-precious stones: corundum, jade, garnet, calcite, topaz, tektite, crystal quartz, beryl, ruby, sapphire;

đ) Stone veneer materials.

Article 5. Specifications and quantities of samples submitted to the Geological Museum

1. Submitted samples must be representative and have observable distinguishing features visible to the naked eye.

2. Solid block samples must be solid. The minimum quantity for each type of sample is one (01) specimen. The minimum size of a solid block sample must be 5x10x20 cm (except for the samples specified in Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of this Article).

3. Loose particle samples smaller than one (01) cm must weigh at least two (02) kg and be contained in a durable plastic bag. Single mineral samples and selected samples must weigh at least 0.5 kg.

4. Fossil specimens do not have a minimum size requirement but must be intact or retain distinctive characteristics of the fossil. There is no limit to the quantity.

5. Rock specimens in the form of mineral crystals do not have a minimum size requirement but must ensure the integrity of the sample. The minimum quantity is five (05) specimens for single crystals measuring from one (01) cm to less than five (05) cm; three (03) specimens for single crystals measuring five (05) to ten (10) cm; one (01) specimen for single crystals measuring more than ten (10) cm (except for precious and semi-precious stones specified in Clauses 6 and 7 of this Article).

6. Semi-precious stone specimens do not have a minimum size requirement but must ensure the integrity of the sample. The minimum quantity is three (03) specimens for sizes from one (01) cm to less than five (05) cm; two (02) specimens for sizes from five (05) cm to seven (07) cm; one (01) specimen for sizes greater than seven (07) cm. Specimens smaller than one (01) cm must weigh at least fifty (50) grams.

7. Precious stone specimens do not have a minimum size requirement but must be distinguishable in shape. The minimum quantity is three (03) specimens for sizes under one (01) cm; two (02) specimens for sizes over one (01) cm.

8. Stone veneer specimens must be processed and have a minimum size of 02x30x30 cm. The minimum quantity for each type is one (01) specimen.

9. Core drilling samples must have a minimum length of fifteen (15) cm per core.

Article 6. Information Accompanying Specimens Submitted to the Geological Museum

1. The information accompanying specimens includes: specimen number, specimen name, sampling location, sampler, sampling time, and specimen characteristics:

a) Specimen number: must be clearly and fully recorded with both letters and numbers, consistent with the survey point number, drilling project, excavation work where the sample was taken;

b) Specimen name: briefly record the name (type of soil, rock, ore, fossil) of the specimen finally determined;

c) Sampling location: clearly record the topographical features, geographical objects at the sampling site, geographic coordinates, place name: village, commune, district, province (city);

d) Sampler: fully record the sampler's full name and construction unit;

đ) Sampling time: clearly record the day, month, year of sampling;

e) Specimen characteristics: describe identifying features; results of physical, mineralogical, chemical analyses (if applicable).

2. On the specimen or on its packaging, only the specimen number should be recorded. All accompanying information shall be fully recorded on the Geological Sample Recording Form prescribed in Appendix 1 of this Circular. Each form shall contain information for only one (01) specimen.

3. Organizations and individuals submitting specimens are responsible for the accuracy and reliability of the information in the geological sample recording forms.

Article 7. Submission and Receipt of Specimens

1. Organizations and individuals implementing basic geological surveys related to minerals are responsible for submitting complete specimens, ensuring quantity, specifications, quality, and two (02) sets of geological sample recording forms.

2. The submission location for specimens is the Geological Museum in Hanoi City or its branch in Ho Chi Minh City.

3. The Geological Museum is responsible for inspecting, receiving specimens, and issuing a confirmation receipt for the submission of geological samples and minerals to organizations and individuals who submit them according to the model prescribed in Appendix 2 of this Circular.

4. The inspection, receipt, and issuance of confirmation receipts for specimen submissions shall not exceed three (03) working days from the date of receiving complete specimens and valid documentation.

5. Costs for specimen collection activities of the Geological Museum are allocated annually from the state budget in accordance with legal regulations.

Article 8. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from October 28, 2014.

Article 9. Responsibility for implementation

1. The Vietnam General Department of Geology and Mineral Resources is responsible for guiding and supervising the submission and collection of specimens at the Geological Museum; urging relevant organizations and individuals to submit specimens to the Geological Museum in accordance with this Circular.

2. Organizations and individuals implementing basic geological surveys related to minerals are responsible for submitting specimens in accordance with this Circular.

3. During implementation, if there are difficulties or issues, agencies, organizations, and individuals are requested to promptly report to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for consideration and resolution./.