Vietnam reviews mineral planning to resolve resource overlaps

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc presided over a meeting of the Appraisal Council for Group I Mineral Planning for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision toward 2050. The meeting focused on addressing existing bottlenecks in mineral resource management, specifically regarding overlapping boundaries between mining zones, residential areas, infrastructure, and protected forests.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade reported that current data regarding mineral boundaries, reserves, and land use status is inconsistent in several areas, which complicates the licensing and implementation of investment projects. For instance, Lam Dong province noted that bauxite planning overlaps with various residential areas and transportation projects.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc emphasized that mineral resources are vital for national energy and raw material security. He directed the Council to focus on verifying legal foundations and procedures to ensure that planning adjustments resolve practical difficulties without creating new obstacles or legitimizing previous violations.