Two areas removed from the list of prohibited mineral mining sites.

On October 1st, the Standing Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Phong City, Le Anh Quan, signed Decision No. 4113/QD-UBND approving the adjustment to remove two areas from the list of prohibited mineral activities, as determined in Decision No. 238/QD-UBND dated January 16, 2019, of the People's Committee of Hai Duong Province.

Specifically, the Pine Hill area covers 8.4669 hectares and is located in Chi Linh ward, Hai Phong city. Based on a review of factors related to national defense, security, culture, tourism , religion, and the consensus of relevant ministries, removing this area from the list of prohibited mineral activities is in accordance with the provisions of Article 26 of the Law on Geology and Minerals 2024.

The Doc Gieng, Dong Doi - Dong Sao area covers 10.7886 hectares and is located in Tran Hung Dao ward. Of this, the Doc Gieng area is 4.4268 hectares; the Dong Doi - Dong Sao area consists of two parts, with areas of 5.103 hectares and 1.2588 hectares respectively.

According to the review results and the consensus of the relevant ministries, the cultural, tourism, and religious factors that were previously used as the basis for designating the Doc Gieng, Dong Doi - Dong Sao area as a prohibited area for mineral activities no longer fall under the cases requiring designation according to point b, clause 1, Article 26 of the Law on Geology and Minerals 2024.

The City People's Committee clarified that the adjustment does not create new rights for mineral exploration and exploitation, nor does it replace the implementation of procedures and conditions related to minerals, investment, land, forestry, environment, cultural heritage, national defense, security, and other relevant legal regulations.

Before submitting proposals to competent authorities for consideration of mineral activities in each area, the Department of Industry and Trade, in coordination with relevant departments, agencies, and localities, conducts a thorough review of the legal conditions of each area, organization, and individual. The review includes compliance with land use planning and plans; current land use status and origin; forestry and mineral planning; planning and projects in the fields of industry and trade; and technical infrastructure; as well as requirements regarding the environment, cultural heritage, national defense, and security.

The city has assigned the Department of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other relevant agencies, to continue assessing the impact of mineral exploitation and transportation activities, if authorized by competent authorities, on cultural heritage, relics, landscapes, and other protected objects. The implementation must ensure that it does not affect the protection, preservation, restoration, and enhancement of relics and the value of related World Heritage sites.

Regarding national defense and security, the Department of Industry and Trade and relevant agencies and localities will coordinate with Military Region 3, the City Military Command, and the City Police in managing and reviewing mining activities in the two areas; ensuring that it does not affect military, national defense, and security activities in the area.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the dossier; the location, boundaries, coordinates, and area of ​​the zones; the results of the review, acceptance, and explanation of opinions from relevant ministries and agencies; and their conformity with the planning. The Department of Industry and Trade will receive and inherit the dossier, documents, and results of the implementation, ensuring continuity, and will take the lead in advising and organizing the implementation of state management tasks regarding geology and minerals for the two zones from September 15, 2026.

The Department of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the People's Committee of Chi Linh Ward, the People's Committee of Tran Hung Dao Ward, and other relevant agencies, manages and protects unexploited mineral resources; promptly detects, prevents, and handles or advises on handling illegal mineral exploration and exploitation activities.

MAI LINH