Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà chairs the Assessment Council on Exploring, Exploiting, Processing and Using Minerals As Construction Materials. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Mineral exploitation planning must ensure landscape and environment protection and not affect natural, cultural and historical areas that need to be preserved, said Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà.

The Deputy Prime Minister chaired a meeting on Wednesday with the Assessment Council on Exploring, Exploiting, Processing, and Using Minerals as Construction Materials, where he emphasised the need for careful planning to protect landscapes and the environment.

He also stressed preserving natural, cultural, and historical areas.

The plan, which the Ministry of Construction compiled from 2021 to 2030, aims to guide the exploration, exploitation, processing, and utilisation of minerals as construction materials.

The deputy prime minister underscored that this must be done to prioritise safeguarding the environment and important sites, as mineral exploitation can significantly impact the environment and cultural heritage.

The Deputy Prime Minister's words reflect the government's commitment to responsible and sustainable development practices. 

During 2021-30, more than 800 new and existing mineral areas in 41 localities will be exploited.

About 364 other areas will be explored to identify the mineral reserves.

The conference established that mineral planning overlaps with the planning of industrial areas, tourism sites, urban areas and natural forests.

Deputy PM Hà asked the assessment council to give feedback on solutions to promote a circular economy, use recycled materials as construction materials to reduce environmental harm and protect biodiversity and rare ecosystem.

He said that mineral mining that damages landscape and poses environmental risks is not encouraged, calling for technological and environmental solutions applied in mineral reserve assessment.

He emphasised economic, efficient and multi-purpose exploitation and use of natural resources for a green and circular economy.

He said that mining and processing technology is important to ensure economic efficiency and protect the landscape and environment.

“Mineral resources are national assets and must be exploited, used and protected by every locality,” he said.

He ordered areas with insignificant mineral reserves, not on an industrial scale, to prioritise socio-economic activities and a green economy.  Areas with large mineral reserves on the industrial scale should prioritise mineral extraction.

If the localities are granted authority to explore and exploit mineral mines for construction materials, if the values of minerals are found to be much higher than those of construction materials, Hà asked for further reports to avoid illegal mining.

He asked the council not to add new mining areas that lack surveying and exploration into the planning and not attach the planning to specific projects. — VNS