93 national mineral reserve areas

Accordingly, the Government approved 93 national mineral reserve areas for 10 types of minerals. Of which, energy coal: 2 areas; apatite ore: 2 areas; lead-zinc ore: 1 area; Chromite ore: 3 areas; Titanium ore: 14 areas; bauxite ore: 23 areas; iron ore-laterite: 14 areas; white marble: 17 areas; white sand: 15 areas and rare earth ores: 2 areas.

During the reserve period of the above national mineral reserve areas, relevant levels, sectors, and localities are responsible for managing and protecting unexploited minerals; Implementing investment projects in national mineral reserve areas must comply with the provisions of Decree No. 51/2021/ND-CP dated April 1, 2021 of the Government on mineral management in areas national mineral reserves, legal regulations on minerals.

Mineral exploration licenses and mineral exploitation licenses issued by competent authorities before November 1, 2023, but do not belong to the mineral reserves mentioned above, will continue to be implemented according to the content of the license and regulations on minerals.

Areas with minerals other than reserve minerals that have been included in the relevant mineral planning but have yet to be licensed for exploration and exploitation or have yet to be included in the appropriate mineral planning shall be planned and licensed. Exploration and exploitation, according to the provisions of the law on minerals, must not affect minerals that have been delineated as national mineral reserve areas.

The Government assigned the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to preside over and coordinate with the People's Committees of relevant provinces and centrally run cities to publicize approved national mineral reserve areas. Hand over the dossier delineating the national mineral reserve area to the People's Committee of the province or centrally run city where the national mineral reserve area is located for management and protection according to regulations.