Specifically, after announcing the results of the "Overall Scheme on Minerals and Completing Geological Map of 1/50,000 Northwestern region for the planning of socio -economic sustainable development" (referred to as the Northwest Project), the exploration and investigation team transferred to the mineral management side of the Department of Geological and Minerals of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
According to the representative of the Department of Geology and Minerals, in order to exploit mineral mines, including gold, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will include the Prime Minister's Decision 866/QD -TTg, promulgated in 2023 on planning for exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals in the period of 2021-2030, vision to 2050. Before exploitation, the units must assess the environmental impact and create a design of the exploitation plan.
"From the time of discovery to the time of putting into operation mineral mines containing gold is a quite long process. The investigation team only discovered and calculated the reserves at the level of resources," the representative of the Department shared with Lao Dong Newspaper.
Previously, the Department of Geology and Minerals informed about the results of the Northwest Project, which had discovered and investigated and assessed the potential of 110 mines belonging to 25 types of minerals. In particular, it is noteworthy that this project has discovered and evaluated the potential of 40 gold mines distributed in the provinces: Dien Bien (1), Lai Chau (5), Ha Giang, Yen Bai (2), Cao Bang (2), Tuyen Quang (8), Lang Son (2), Bac Kan (8), Son La (2), Thanh Hoa 4, Nghe An4. Total resources of level 333 have been identified as more than 29.8 tons of gold. Accompanying minerals include silver, copper, and antimon.
According to the representative of the Department of Geology and Minerals, the results of the Northwest Project have a great impact on economic, social and environmental development. Helping provide important information for the construction of traffic works, other basic construction, and types of soil and rock to help the search for mineral mines for common construction materials to serve the needs of localities.
Results of discovery, investigation, and assessment determined that the resources of 110 mines and mining areas belong to 25 types of minerals eligible for transfer to exploration, exploitation, and supply of rich mineral materials, serving the needs of domestic and exporting sectors and localities. These results will also contribute significantly to orienting the development of the mining industry in the region, adjusting the planning for mineral exploration and exploitation of the Central and local governments.
In localities where mineral mines have been discovered and resources have been assessed, when there are enterprises investing in mineral exploration, exploitation and processing, they will also benefit, have conditions for economic development, create more jobs for local labor forces, increase the budget for local economic and social development.
Deputy Minister Tran Quy Kien assessed that the Northwest Project is of great significance, contributing to providing a scientific and practical basis for the exploitation and reasonable use of mineral resources and serving the goal of sustainable development in the Northwest region.
After 8 years of implementation, the Project has completed a large amount of work, many goals exceeding the set goals, in particular, clarifying the potential of mineral resources, evaluating the resources of 110 mines belonging to 25 important minerals.
According to Deputy Minister Tran Quy Kien, the Northwest is a region with a strategic position in terms of geopolitics, economy and environment, and is also a place with rich mineral potential. However, the ineffective and sustainable exploitation and use of resources is posing challenges in the management of mineral resources here.
Therefore, to maximize the results of the investigation, as well as promote the great potential of mineral resources, Deputy Minister Tran Quy Kien suggested that localities need to use the geological - mineral database that has been handed over to serve socio-economic development planning, attract investment and ensure sustainable mineral exploitation.
