Assessment of technical conditions for the exploration of rare earth mineral mines in Vietnam from January 06, 2025

Assessment of technical conditions for the exploration of rare earth mineral mines in Vietnam from January 06, 2025​ (Image from the Internet)

On November 21, 2024, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam issued Circular 21/2024/TT-BTNMT stipulating technical standards for the investigation, resource assessment, and exploration of rare earth minerals.

Assessment of technical conditions for the exploration of rare earth mineral mines in Vietnam from January 06, 2025

According to the provisions of Article 5 Circular 21/2024/TT-BTNMT, the work of assessing technical conditions for rare earth mineral mining in Vietnam is conducted as follows:

- Assessment of hydrogeological conditions:

+ Collect meteorological and hydrological data for the exploration area for at least the past 5 years;

+ Exploration results must assess the main aquifers that may flood the mine, especially in the parts of the mine most likely to flood, to address drainage and dewatering issues;

+ For aquifers, thickness, lithological composition, water supply conditions must be identified, as well as the relationship between different aquifers, surface water, groundwater, and other related parameters;

+ Must study the chemical and microbiological composition of the water, assess the corrodibility of concrete and metals, identify beneficial and harmful components in the water; evaluate the impact of mine dewatering on groundwater usage structures in the region, and the potential for potable water usage. Propose solutions related to water supply and drainage and the environmental impact of mine dewatering;

+ All hydrogeological conditions and other natural elements need to be evaluated to meet the requirements for developing mining investment and design projects. In extremely complex hydrogeological conditions, a specialized investigation and assessment project is required. Hydrogeological assessment work is conducted according to current regulations.

- Assessment of engineering geological conditions:

+ Exploration results must determine the physical and mechanical properties of ore, surrounding rock, and overburden in both natural and saturated conditions, engineering geological characteristics of rock strata, anisotropy, rock composition, fractures, tectonic damage, karst, and destabilization phenomena in the weathering zone;

+ Exploration results must evaluate the stability of mining structures and calculate the basic parameters of the mining pit and tunnel stability;

+ All engineering geological conditions and other natural factors need to be evaluated to meet the requirements for developing mining investment and design projects. In extremely complex engineering geological conditions, a specialized investigation and assessment project is required. Engineering geological assessment work is conducted according to current regulations.

- Environmental geological assessment:

+ Determine the detailed quality of surface and groundwater in the mine area, provide an assessment of the area's water environmental quality;

+ Determine in detail and study the level, content, distribution, and variation of radioactive substances, toxic substances, as well as harmful gases, identifying factors that may cause environmental pollution. Assess the original environmental quality, forecast secondary environmental quality, and propose preventive measures;

+ Determine in detail the impact of rare earth mineral mining on surface (ground) water and the potential for secondary geological disasters such as mud-rock flows and landslides, while suggesting countermeasures and preventive methods;

+ Analyze seismic data related to the area and exploration region, study the characteristics of neotectonic activity, evaluate regional stability;

+ Investigate geological hazard phenomena in the mining area (rockslides, landslides, flash floods, mud-rock flows, ground subsidence, soil subsidence, etc.), forecast the impact and damage of mine exploitation on the geological and ecological environment, concurrently proposing preventive measures.

Refer to more detailed in Circular 21/2024/TT-BTNMT effective from January 6, 2025.

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