Functions, duties and powers

       The functions, duties and powers of the Department Of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam are prescribed in Articles 1 and 2 of Decision No 08/2004/QD-BTNMT dated 26 May 2004 of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, in particular as follows:

A. Functions

The Department of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam is an organization directly under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, having the function to assist the Minister in State management of geology and mineral resources, comprising: basic geological survey, basic mineral resources survey, mineral activities, protection of mineral resources and to organise the implementation of basic geological survey, basic mineral resources survey, assessment of mineral resources potential and the discovery of mineral deposits throughout the country

B. Duties:

1.     To submit to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment legal documents on management of basic geological survey, basic mineral resources survey, State management of minerals and protection of mineral resources, procedures, specifications and technico-economic standards in geological and mineral resources surveys;

2.     To submit to the Minister strategies, development schemes, long-term, five-year and annual plans for basic geological survey, mineral resources survey;

3.     To make statistics and inventory of reserves and quality of mineral resources; delineate areas with toxic minerals, areas with untapped minerals to be protected, areas with restriction of mineral activities and areas subject to bidding for mineral activities;

4.    To participate and coordinate with the Peoples committees of provinces, cities directly under the Central authority, relevant Ministries and sectors in delineating areas with prohibition or temporary prohibition of mineral activities; to work out strategies and master plans for mineral exploration, exploitation, processing and utilization as assigned by the Ministry.  

5.    To submit to the Minister regulations on the authorities and procedures of grant, extension, withdrawal and permission for surrender of permits for mineral activities; permission for transfer and bequest of rights of mineral activities; regulations on bidding for mineral activities.  

6.   To submit to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment for decision on the grant, extension, withdrawal, permission for surrender of permits for mineral activities, permission for transfer of rights of mineral activities, and for approval of areas for artisanal mining under the competence of the Ministry;

7.    To submit to the Minister project proposals, reports on the results of basic geological survey, basic mineral resources survey for approval;

8.    To organise and direct the subordinate units of the Department to implement the duties and plans on basic geological surveys, basic mineral resources surveys, comprising: geological survey, mineral survey, environmental geology, hydrogeology, engineering geology, urban geology, rural geology, marine geology and mineral resources, geohazards, geothermal energy, assessment of mineral potential, and discovery of new mineral deposits;

       To implement scientific-technological research programs, projects; apply advanced sciences and technologies to the basic geological, mineral resources surveys and State management on minerals;

9.   To register and assemble data, results of basic geological and mineral resources surveys and mineral activities; to archive, manage and keep confidential the data and information on geology and mineral resources according to the provisions of the law; to provide geological, mineral documents and samples according to the relevant regulations; to certify the legality of geological and mineral data and samples, and non-commercial minerals to be remitted abroad according to the provisions of the law;

10. To publicize, disseminate information, guide and inspect agencies, organizations and individuals in complying with the regulations of the mineral legislations; provide professional and technical guidance in geology and minerals to Departments of Natural Resources and Environment of provinces, cities directly under the central authority and the subordinate units of the Department ;

11.  To take the lead in checking the basic geological survey, basic mineral resources survey activities and mineral activities; coordinate with the Inspectorate of the Ministry in settling or settle within the Departments authority disputes, claims, denunciations in basic geological survey, basic mineral resources survey and mineral activities; answer to questions of organizations and individuals in the field of geology and mineral resources as assigned by the Ministry;

12.  To implement international co-operation programs and projects and to represent the geological and mineral sector of Vietnam to take part in international activities in the field of geology and minerals as assigned by the Ministry;

13.  To maintain the relationship with associations, non-government organisations; follow up and report to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment on activities of associations, non-government organisations in the field of geology and minerals;

14. To organize scientific conferences, seminars, workshops; edit and publish documents on geology and minerals as allowed by the provisions of the law.

15.  To manage activities related to geological and mineral service and other services carried out by subordinate units of the Department in accordance with the provisions of the law.

16.  To manage and use efficiently financial sources and properties allocated by the State; to manage capital construction investment projects in accordance with the provisions of the law and the assignment by the Ministry;

17. To manage the organisation, staffing and organise courses of training and intensive improvement of technical and professional capabilities for officials, employees of the Department as assigned by the Ministry.

18.  To make statistics and prepare periodical and immediate reports on the implementation of the assigned duties

19.  To implement other tasks as assigned by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.