On August 12 morning, at the August law-themed session, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee discussed several key issues regarding the explanation, adoption, and amendment of the draft Law on Geology and Minerals.
Speaking at the session, Mr. Nguyen Khac Dinh, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, acknowledged the benefits of simplifying administrative procedures, which recently helped source filling materials for important national construction projects. However, he also expressed concern about potential abuses of this simplification.
“While we have expedited procedures, we must be cautious to prevent abuses, exploitations, and diversions. We don’t want the resources to be mostly sold externally, causing damage to roads, infrastructure, and the environment,”
said the Vice Chairman.
Mr. Dinh emphasized the need to differentiate between exploration and exploitation, suggesting that exploitation should be more stringent. He proposed that exploitation must adhere to the approved plan and have a defined duration, aligning with the scale of the previously explored mine.
“When I was a provincial leader, they asked for a two-year permit for a small mine. I said no, only six months. How can you dig up the entire river in two years? It must be based on the plan and reserves, and sometimes only one month is allowed,”
Mr. Nguyen Khac Dinh illustrated.
Mr. Nguyen Khac Dinh, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly. (Photo: quochoi.vn)
The Vice Chairman suggested controlling the volume and output of exploitation and ensuring that the extracted resources are solely used for national projects, not for external sales.
At the session, Mr. Tran Thanh Man, a Politburo member and Chairman of the National Assembly, requested that the agencies closely follow and incorporate the spirit and directions of the Politburo’s Resolution No.10 on the orientation of the strategy for geology, minerals, and mining industry development by 2030, with a vision towards 2045, into the Law on Geology and Minerals.
The Chairman emphasized that mature and evident issues should be included in the law, while immature and unclear matters require further study.
“In implementing the Politburo’s Regulation No.178 on power control and anti-corruption in law-making, we need to scrutinize this draft law to prevent group interests. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly pledges to the Politburo to be cautious, meticulous, and serious in following the Party’s regulations,”
the Chairman noted.
Therefore, the Chairman requested that the drafting and reviewing agencies take responsibility before the Party, the Standing Committee, and the National Assembly in their respective roles.
