Geology and mineral sector to transition from resource extraction to knowledge-based economy

Problems of geology and minerals

According to Dr. Tran Binh Trong, Director General of the General Department of Geology and Minerals of Viet Nam, integrated governance of geological resources represents a step further than mineral resource management. Governance refers to managing the entire life cycle of resources, from when they remain underground (planning and surveying) to when they are put into use (licensing, extraction, and processing), and even after exploitation (mine closure and environmental restoration).

As a country with significant geological and mineral potential, Viet Nam still faces several problems that must be addressed to ensure the efficient and sustainable utilization of these resources.

The first problem lies in unlocking the potential of deep-seated minerals. Survey and assessment results indicate that Viet Nam's subsurface still holds many types of undiscovered minerals. Therefore, the geology and mineral sector needs to continue strengthening geological surveys and collecting detailed data on geological objects; intensify the exploration and discovery of minerals, particularly those hidden deep within promising geological structures; and enhance surveys about environmental geology, geological hazards, and urban underground space.

In the context of the rapid development of science and technology both domestically and globally, the need for various mineral raw materials is increasing, especially those used in green and clean technologies and renewable energy, such as lithium, rare earth elements, and radioactive ores. This reality requires the sector to continue exploring and identifying new mineral resources, delineating areas with strategic potential and high value to meet current demand for mineral raw materials promptly.

The Law on Geology and Minerals 2024 has expanded the scope of basic surveys. Accordingly, in addition to geological and mineral investigations, the sector must also focus on other areas that serve socio-economic development and ensure national defense and security. These areas include geophysical, geochemical, geomorphological, and weathering crust conditions; geological hazards; geological heritage; environmental geology; hydrogeology; engineering geology; urban geology; mineral and energy resources; geological and subsurface space; and geothermal resources.

These are crucial foundations that enable the geology and mineral sector to continue affirming its role in the new stage of development. Given the requirements in science, technology, and the country’s practical needs, clearly defining development orientations is essential.

Two spearheads

By 2045, the geology and mineral sector will no longer be a rudimentary "brown resource" extraction industry but will become a knowledge-based economic sector, providing "green raw materials" and "high-tech raw materials" for the economy. Accordingly, its governance model must transition toward "smart, transparent, and internationally integrated governance, taking data, technology, and people as the center."

To develop the geology and mineral sector as a foundational scientific field, providing essential geological information and ensuring the supply of mineral materials for industries and localities, the focus must be on two spearheads: basic surveys and mineral resource management.

Regarding basic geological surveys and investigations of mineral resources, it is necessary to continue strengthening traditional survey activities on geological conditions, such as stratigraphy, magmatism, metamorphism, and structural-tectonic features, in support of the search, discovery, and assessment of various types of minerals. Particular attention should be given to new minerals of strategic importance and high value to meet the economic development needs in the new era.

At the same time, geological surveys must be expanded to provide information directly serving socio-economic development, natural disaster prevention, and environmental safety assurance. Priority areas include geological hazards, geological heritage, environmental geology, hydrogeology, engineering geology, and urban geology, thereby supplying timely and accurate data for ministries, sectors, and localities.

In the future, the scope of investigation should be broadened to include geological and subsurface areas, as well as positional resources, to provide a scientific basis for planning and developing transportation and construction infrastructure and to serve national security and defense requirements in the years ahead.

For transparent and effective mineral resource management, it is essential to continue developing the legal framework to ensure strict management of mineral activities while facilitating extraction and processing with advanced, modern technologies that promote rational resource use and minimize environmental impacts.

Decentralization should be strengthened, empowering local governments to manage mineral activities, particularly for construction materials directly serving local socio-economic development. At the same time, the State’s investment role in the exploration, mining, and processing of strategic minerals should be enhanced, and enterprises should be encouraged to develop modern technologies for the extraction and processing of large-scale minerals, thereby building an advanced, efficient, and environmentally friendly mining industry.

As the "picture" of subsurface resources becomes more complete and revealed, Viet Nam will gain a solid scientific foundation for planning and developing a green economy, ensuring resource security, and sustainably protecting the living environment for future generations.