License for mineral activities without auction
The Inspectorate of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (TNMT) has just issued Inspection Conclusion No. 22/KL-TTr on compliance with mineral laws in Tuyen Quang province.
The inspection discovered many shortcomings and violations in the activities of granting mineral exploitation licenses without auction, the calculation of fees for granting mineral exploitation rights (KTKS) and the work of improving and restoring the environment after mine closure by the People's Committee of Tuyen Quang province.
Particularly in granting mineral operation licenses without auction, the Ministry Inspectorate of Natural Resources and Environment pointed out that 14 mineral operation licenses were granted by the People's Committee of Tuyen Quang province without auction, which is not in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Minerals.
Some KTKS licenses are granted when mine closure has not been carried out according to the provisions of the Mineral Law.
In addition, the Inspection Conclusion also clearly stated that the People's Committee of Tuyen Quang province delimited 34 areas without auctioning the right to exploit minerals such as Barite, antimony, coal, iron, tin... when the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment had not yet delimited and announced that there were small-scale scattered minerals, which was not in accordance with regulations.
In addition, the approval of reserves, prices for calculating KTKS rights and determining the annual payment of KTKS rights are not in accordance with legal regulations.
According to the report of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Tuyen Quang province, from July 1, 2011 to March 2023, the Provincial People's Committee has issued 214 mineral operation licenses without auctioning the right to KTKS. Of which, 59 are exploration licenses, 138 are mining licenses and 17 are mineral recovery licenses.
Criminal proceedings if violations are detected
Based on the existing problems and violations that have been pointed out, the Ministry Inspectorate of Natural Resources and Environment requests the People's Committee of Tuyen Quang province and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to review and adjust or revoke licenses issued in violation of the decision approving the demarcation of areas without auctioning the right to use natural resources and environment.
At the same time, review and adjust the approval of the KTKS licensing fee for all KTKS licenses that have been calculated incorrectly. Direct the review of the responsibilities of organizations and individuals that allow the existence and violations to occur.
In particular, the Ministry Inspectorate of Natural Resources and Environment recommends that in case of detecting violations that require criminal prosecution, the case file be transferred to the Investigation Police Agency for handling according to the provisions of law.
On October 23, speaking with reporters, a leader of the People's Committee of Tuyen Quang province said that in the regular October meeting of the Provincial People's Committee this morning, the content on implementing the conclusion of the Ministry Inspectorate of Natural Resources and Environment was brought up for consideration and discussion.
"Relevant agencies are implementing the contents of the Inspection Conclusion, first of all, any violations at any level will be handled," informed the leader of Tuyen Quang Provincial People's Committee.
