Decision No.1388/QD-TTg approving the master plan on basic geological survey of minerals through 2020, with orientations toward 2030.

This Decision approves the master plan on basic geological surveys of minerals through 2020, and orientations toward 2030, with the following principal contents: Viewpoints: a) To plan the survey and discovery of minerals together with the making of maps of area geology, hazard geology, environmental geology, marine geology and mineral resources, and geological and mineral research maps of 1:50,000 scale for the mainland and equal or larger for Vietnam's maritime zones along with detailed surveys, aiming to clarify the structure, genesis and development of the earth's crust to serve socio-economic development, national defense and security demands; b) To prioritize the assessment of the potential of each kind and group of important minerals, especially in geological settings with mineral prospect up to the depth of 500 m and 1,000 m in some regions so as to clarify the potential of each kind of mineral to serve mineral exploration, exploitation, processing and use and reasonable national mineral reserves; c) To step up detailed surveys of minerals with prospect in Vietnam's maritime zones; d) To mobilize domestic resources in combination with international cooperation aiming to raise the technological level and increase investment funds and speed up the basic geological survey of minerals, etc.The main objectives are: a) To make geological and mineral survey maps of 1:50,000 scale. To complete the making of geological and minerals survey map in concentrated mineral areas; b) Mineral assessment: By 2020, to complete the overall assessment of the potential of minerals, focusing on coal, iron, lead-zinc, gold, tin, manganese, radioactive ore, kaolin, felspat, walling and flooring stones and minerals of great domestic demands; c) To enhance capacity and international cooperation: To raise the scientific and technological level and to step up research and training. d) Environmental protection: To establish a geological and mineral database by 2020, satisfying the formulation and application of measures for effective environmental protection and hazard prevention and control.