HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng has requested the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment strengthen inspections on environmental protection in mineral mining.

Acts of exploiting minerals causing great losses or serious environmental pollution and fraudulently reporting the quantity extracted must be strictly handled, he said.

The ministry was asked to foster the basic geological survey of minerals in accordance with the master plan approved by the Prime Minister, while also closely co-ordinate with relevant ministries in reviewing plans for the use of relevant mineral resources.

He also asked the ministry to quickly complete the draft decrees on guiding calculations and fee collection in mineral mining as well as the management of sand in rivers to submit to the Government as planned.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was requested to work with relevant ministries and localities to evaluate the five-year implementation of the decree on the auction of mineral mining rights in order to propose amendments and supplements as well as solutions in the coming time.

The Prime Minister has assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Construction to review plans on the use of relevant mineral resources for adjustment and supplementation.

The two ministries were also asked to propose policies encouraging enterprises to invest in mineral mining projects by using advanced, eco-friendly technologies.

Authorities need to aggressively deal with acts of illegally buying, selling, transporting or storing mineral products without legal origin, he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister has asked the People’s Committees of the provinces and cities to enhance inspection and strictly handle violations by organisations and individuals involved in mineral exploitation.

The provinces and cities were asked to hold accountable the heads of the concerned State management agencies and the heads of the local administrations at all levels for their irresponsibility in causing illegal mining activities that cause serious consequences. — VNS