Vietnam Adjusts Utilization Plans for Certain Tungsten, Copper, and Bauxite Deposits

According to Vietnam Economic Times on November 26, on November 24, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed Decision No. 2581/QD-TTg, amending the planning provisions related to three mining areas in the “National Plan on Mineral Exploration, Development, Processing, and Utilization for 2021–2030 (with a Vision to 2050).” The affected areas include the Nui Phao tungsten deposit in Thai Nguyen Province, the Tap copper deposit in Lao Cai Province, and the Tho Son and Thong Nhat bauxite deposits in Dong Nai Province. The specific adjustments are as follows:

• Revised the list of exploration and development projects and adjusted the boundary coordinates for the Nui Phao tungsten mine (including the Nui Phao area and adjacent zones) in Thai Nguyen Province.
• Updated the list of exploration and development projects and modified the boundary coordinates for the Ta Pu (Tap) copper mine in Lao Cai Province.
• Amended the list of bauxite mining and processing projects originally allocated to Binh Phuoc Province (now administratively transferred to Dong Nai Province).

The decision explicitly stipulates that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the People’s Committees of Lao Cai, Dong Nai, and Thai Nguyen provinces shall bear full responsibility to the Prime Minister for the accuracy of all submitted information and data. It also requires the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with relevant ministries and agencies, to promptly issue mineral extraction licenses in accordance with the newly defined mining boundaries and applicable legal regulations.