The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) has asked localities to strengthen management over auctions for mining rights.

The move was made following signs of legal violations detected in the recent bidding for the mining rights in some localities.

The MoNRE noted that in recent times, many localities have organized public and transparent auctions to grant mining rights, achieving many positive results, and contributing to generating large revenues for local budgets.

However, the outcomes of the auctions for the mining rights in some localities showed abnormal signs, such as the winning price being many times higher than the starting price, or prolonged auction duration, thus causing public concerns as well as possible negative effects on socio-economic development.

Therefore, the MoNRE asked the People’s Committees of localities to raise public awareness of legal regulations about the bidding for the mining rights, build appropriate bidding plans, and implement the process and procedures for auctioning the mining rights in line with laws.

They are required to tighten management over the preparation of auction invitation dossiers and selection of applicants. Only enterprises that have the capacity and experience, and complete dossiers with clear and correct information are chosen to participate in the auction.

The ministry also requested the committees to direct relevant agencies to inspect the organization of mining rights auctions that show unusual signs.