Vietnam's Government Inspectorate ordered authorities in Nghe An, Phu Tho, Cao Bang, Lao Cai and Lam Dong provinces to address violations by cement and mineral extraction companies.
In a conclusion on mineral management and licensing, the inspectorate said an adjusted permit for Vicem Song Thao Cement Joint Stock Company in Phu Tho allowed the company to recover waste stone, a by-product within the reserves covered by its permit, before it received permission from the competent authority. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment did not handle the matter under the rules. The inspectorate said this violated the Law on Minerals and the Law on Handling Administrative Violations.
Phu Tho was ordered to clarify the nature and consequences of the violation and the responsibility of Vicem Song Thao, which recovered waste stone while extracting limestone for cement production under Permit No. 907/2007. If signs of a crime are found, the case must be transferred to investigative authorities.
Cao Bang must provisionally calculate, under Government Decree No. 193/2025, the payment for the right to extract cobalt under Permit No. 40/2021, which Tan Phat Mineral Joint Stock Company must pay. The province must also prepare a natural-resource tax price table for cobalt and approve the extraction-right payment to prevent losses to the state budget.
Lao Cai must issue a natural-resource tax price table for sulfur and approve the extraction-right payment that TKV Mineral Corporation must pay.
Lam Dong must inspect and clarify the responsibility of organizations and individuals that extracted minerals without a permit at the Nui Den 1 gabro mine in Suoi Kiet and Tan Lap communes. If signs of a crime are found, the case must be transferred to investigative authorities.
Nghe An was asked to direct tax authorities to collect unpaid natural-resource tax, environmental protection fees and late-payment charges from HC Son Nam Group Joint Stock Company and Yabashi Vietnam Lime Quarry Company. The province must stop the violations, address the outstanding issues, review mineral extraction and report the results to the Government Inspectorate.
Violations in mineral extraction management
From 2020 to November 30, 2025, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, auctioned 10 mineral areas, issued 85 mineral exploration permits, and issued 226 permits and decisions for mineral extraction within its authority.
The inspectorate said the ministry was slow to issue mineral regulations, develop strategies and plans, and prepare the basic geological and mineral survey plan for 2021 to 2030, with a vision to 2050. It was also slow to report annually to the government on nationwide mineral management.
Inspections of compliance with mineral laws did not meet management requirements, and annual auctions of mineral extraction rights were not planned. The ministry issued extraction permits without approving or provisionally collecting the extraction-right payment. It also recorded an incorrect area returned to local management when extending exploration permits.
Sources: Dân Trí
