THE PRIME MINISTER

Decision No. 18/2013/QD-TTg dated March 29, 2013 of the Prime Minister on environmental improvement and remediation in mineral extraction
Pursuant to the Law on Government organization dated December 25, 2001;
Pursuant to the Law on Environment protection dated November 29, 2005;
Pursuant to the Law on Mineral dated November 17, 2010; 
At the request of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment;
The Prime Minister issues a Decision on environmental improvement and remediation in mineral extraction
Chapter 1.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Scope of regulation and subjects of application
1. This decision deals with environmental improvement and remediation in mineral extraction within the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
2. This decision is applicable to organizations and individuals licensed to extract mineral extraction and involved organizations and individuals within the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
3. Environmental remediation in the exploration and extraction of petroleum, mineral water and natural hot water is not or by this Decision.
Article 2. Terms interpretation
In this Decision, the terms below are construed as follows:
1. Environmental remediation in mineral extraction means restoring the environment, ecosystem (earth, water, natural landscape, vegetation, etc.) in mineral extraction areas and areas impacted by mineral extraction close to their initial condition, or to reach the standards and regulations on safety and environment, and to serve the purposes beneficial to humans.
2. Environmental remediation payments in mineral extraction are payments to Vietnam Environment Protection Fund or local environment protection funds where minerals are extracted (hereinafter referred to as environment protection funds) to ensure environmental remediation.
3. The environmental remediation projects are made by organizations and individuals engaged in mineral extraction in order to determine plans for environmental remediation and amount of money paid to environmental remediation funds, and submit them to competent authorities for approval (hereinafter called projects)
4. Joint-mining areas are areas that have at least 02 adjacent mines and affect one another.
Chapter 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION
Article 3. Environmental remediation’s requirements
1. Ensure that the environment and ecosystems at mineral extraction areas and effected areas are restored close to their initial condition, or reach the standards and regulations on safety and environment, ensure the safety and serve the purposes beneficial to humans as prescribed in Appendix I to this Decision.
2. The environmental remediation is suitable for local socio-economic development plans, mineral extraction plans, land use and environment protection plans.
3. The environmental remediation is carried out during mineral extraction process.
4. The environmental remediation is suitable for the plans for environmental remediation made by People’s Committees of central-affiliated cities and provinces (hereinafter referred to as provincial People’s Committees) applicable to mineral extraction projects lies within joint-mining areas.
5. The environmental remediation in extraction of toxic minerals that contain radioactive materials must comply with the Law on Atomic Energy and relevant laws apart from complying with this Decision.