Ministry to crack down on mineral exports

Ministry to crack down on mineral exports

Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang has said he will work closely with local administrations to stop illegal exports of minerals by 2015.

Replying to questions at a National Assembly session on Tuesday, he said illegal mining and exports of ores persist in some provinces and cities, causing substantial losses to the Government as well as affecting the environment.

Deputy Ma Dien Cu from the central province of Quang Ngai blamed it on poor official oversight, and demanded drastic solutions from the ministry to resolve the problem.

Hoang said minerals are valuable resources and should be used optimally and exported only in processed form.

The Government's Resolution No. 2 requires mining firms to process minerals and prohibits exports of ores.

Hoang said many firms were licensed in 2012 to mine ores and their stockpiles have been building up, forcing officials in provinces to obtain Government permission to export inventory they had mined before the resolution took effect.

But some businesses have taken advantage of this to illegally export minerals.

Hoang said his ministry would work with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and local authorities to crack down on illegal exports by 2015. 

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