Circular of the Ministry of Land and Resources on Further Improving the Administration of Mining Rights and Promoting Integrated Mineral Exploration

Circular of the Ministry of Land and Resources on Further Improving the Administration of Mining Rights and Promoting Integrated Mineral Exploration

Guo Tu Zi Fa [2011] No. 55

April 29, 2011

The departments of land and resources (departments of land, environment and resources, bureaus of land and resources, bureaus of land, resources and housing administration) of all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government, the China Geological Survey and the Administration Center of the Central Geological Exploration Fund,

Since the Ministry of Land and Resources promulgated the Circular on Further Standardizing the Administration of Grant of Mining Rights (Guo Tu Zi Fa [2006] No. 12, hereinafter referred to as Document No. 12) and the Circular on Further Strengthening the Administration of Exploration and Exploitation of Coal Resources (Guo Tu Zi Fa [2006] No.13, hereinafter referred to as Document No.13) in 2006, the classified administration of mining rights has been fully implemented, the system for setting plan of mine and coal rights have taken lead in implementation, and great progress has been made in the aspects such as standardizing the administration of mining rights, improving the abilities of mineral resources support and etc. In order to further deepen the classified administration of mining rights, optimize the layout of mineral resources exploration and exploitation, carry out the new mechanism of searching mines geologically, and guarantee the smooth implementation of the strategic breakthrough in exploring mines, issues in relation to further perfecting the administration of mining rights (excluding petroleum and natural gas) and promoting integrated mineral exploration are hereby set out as follows:

I. Perfect the classified administration of mining rights
1. Detail and perfect the classification of exploration risks. Continue to implement the classified management of mining rights in accordance with Document No. 12. The competent provincial departments of land and resources may, in light of local practice and in accordance with the Classified Catalogue of Mineral Exploration and Exploitation provided for in Document No.12, take some factors into account comprehensively, such as the type of mineral bed, the depth of exploration, the degree of geological work and etc, put forth suggestions on adjustment and improvement, and implement the same after being demonstrated by experts, published to the society and approved by the Ministry of Land and Resources.
2. Comprehensively implement the system for the plans of setting mining rights. In respect of high-risk exploration, we should take the areas of integrated mineral exploration as the key point, based on the conditions of geological structure, the rules of regional mineralization, the evaluation of mineral resources potential, take advantage of the results of investigation and field inspection of mining rights, formulate the plans for setting mining rights and define the areas of mining rights rationally. In respect of high-risk exploration beyond the areas of integrated mineral exploration, plans of setting mining rights should also be promoted. In respect of other low-risk exploration excluding coal exploration, we should refer to the provisions on the administration of coal resources provided for in Document No. 13, based on the occurrence conditions of resources and geological structures, and formulate the plan of setting mining rights. In respect of the resources under unclear condition, the State shall finance pre-surveys and necessary censuses. In respect of risk-free mining, after carrying out the necessary geological work by national financing, we may directly formulate plans of setting mining rights. The formulation of the plan of setting mining rights should base on the mineral resources planning, and the plan of setting mining rights in areas of integrated mineral exploration should be connected with the implementing plan of integrated mineral exploration. By implementing the system for the plan of setting mining rights, we can guarantee and promote the rational layout of mineral resources exploration and exploitation. See the specific requirements for the formulation of plans of setting mining rights in the Appendix.
The plans of setting mining rights in the State-planned mining areas, mining areas which have important value for the national economy and areas of integrated mineral exploration shall be formulated by competent provincial departments of land and resources and examined and approved by the Ministry of Land and Resources; Other plans of setting mining rights shall be organized to be formulated and examined and approved by the competent provincial departments of land and resources, among which the plans of setting mining rights of the 34 important mines as stipulated in the Administrative Measures for Registration of Mineral Resources Exploration Blocks (Order of the State Council No.
　　......