DECISION

APPROVING THE MASTER PLAN ON DEVELOPMENT OF VIETNAM'S COAL INDUSTRY THROUGH 2020, WITH THE PROSPECTS TOWARD 2030 TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the December 25, 2001 Law on Organization of the Government;

Pursuant to the Prime Minister's Decision No. 89/2008/QD-TTg of July 7, 2008, approving the strategy for development of Vietnam's coal industry through 2015, with orientations toward 2025;

At the proposal of the Minister of Industry and Trade,

DECIDES:

Article 1. To approve the master plan on development of Vietnam's coal industry through 2020. with the prospects toward 2030 taken into consideration, with the following principal contents:

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1. To develop the coal industry on the basis of exploiting, processing and economically using the country's coal resources to mainly serve domestic demand: actively and effectively contributing to the assurance of national energy security and satisfying lo the utmost the demand for coal to serve national socio-economic development; to ensure reasonable import and export of coal in the direction of incrementally reducing export and exporting only types of coal which arc not yet needed in the country through plan-based management and other regulatory measures in line with the state-managed market mechanism and Vietnam's international commitments.

2. To develop a sustainable and effective coal industry in synchrony and conformity with the overall development of other economic industries. To bring into the fullest play internal resources (capital, capability of designing and manufacturing equipment, etc.) along with expanding international cooperation, primarily in research, development and application of advanced technologies to coal exploration, exploitation, processing and use; to make satisfactory investment in the work of environmental protection, labor safety, natural resource management and risk management in coal mining.

3. To step up baseline survey, exploration and assessment of coal resources and reserves so as to prepare reliable resources for stable and long-term development of the industry, while promoting offshore investments in coal exploration and mining activities in order lo supplement coal sources for meeting the long-term domestic demand.

4. To diversify methods of investment and trading in the coal industry with state-controlled enterprises playing the leading role; to trade coal according to the state-managed market mechanism for the objective of assuring national energy security.

5. To develop the coal industry in close combination with protecting and improving the eco-environment in coal regions; to make active contributions to socio-economic development and security and national defense consolidation in all regions, especially Quang Ninh coal fields; to assure safety in coal production.

II. DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

1. Regarding coal exploration

a/ The North East coal basin:

- By the end of 2015, to complete the exploration of coal resources and reserves belonging to the layers above -300 m and below -300 m in some areas to ensure adequate coal resources and reserves for exploitation from now to 2020;

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b/ The Red River delta coal basin

- To select some potential coal-bearing areas with appropriate geological and mining conditions for exploration during the 2012-2015 plan period to serve pilot mining at the end of the plan period:

- On the basis of results of survey and overall assessment of coal resources in the inland areas of the Red River delta coal basin and results of implementation of some pilot projects, to expand exploration to gain grounds for developing industrial-scale coal mines with appropriate technologies. By 2030 to basically complete the exploration of coal-bearing areas with favorable mining conditions in Khoai Chau and Tien Hai areas.

2. Regarding coal mining

The outputs of salable coal produced in the whole industry in the periods of the master plan:

- 2012: 45-47 million tons.

- 2015: 55-58 million tons.

- 2020: 60-65 million tons.

- 2025: 66 - 70 million tons.

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- The North East coal basin and other coal mines (outside the Red River delta coal basin): The output of salable coal will be 55 - 58 million tons by 2015; 59 - 64 million tons by 2020; 64 - 68 million tons by 2025, and will be maintained at around 65 million tons after 2025.

- The Red River delta coal basin: From now to 2015, to invest in the pilot mining at some mines to create a basis for development investment after 2015. To strive to achieve an output of salable coal (converted) of 0.5 - 1 million tons by 2020; 2 million tons by 2025 and over 10 million tons by 2030.

The output of salable coal of the whole industry may be adjusted to meet market demand in each period, including the import and export of coal, to ensure overall effectiveness of the economy.

3. Regarding coal preparation and processing

Before 2015, to complete the review and adjustment of the master plan on arrangement of coal preparation units in Quang Ninh area for the purpose of optimizing coal transportation activities, meeting to the utmost the needs for different types of prepared coal and conforming to the master plans on urban development in coal regions, transport and seaports and meeting environmental protection requirements. By 2020, to strive to develop coal processing in the direction of diversifying products (fuel, coal used for metallurgy, coal gasification, liquefied fuel from coal, materials for the chemical industry, etc).

4. Regarding environmental protection

By 2015, to basically achieve major environ­mental standards in sensitive areas (urban centers, residential quarters, tourist attractions, etc): by 2020, to fully satisfy all environmental standards in all areas of coal mines.

5. Regarding the coal market

To quickly shift the coal industry to operate according to the market mechanism and integrate in the regional and international markets subject to state regulation.

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1. Coal demand forecasts

Domestic coal demand forecasts for different periods arc as follows:

Unit: million tons

Coal demand

2012

2015

2020

2025

2030

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Basic level

High level

Basic level

High level

Basic level

High level

Basic level

High level

Basic level

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Total

32.9

33.7

56.2

60.7

112.4

120.3

145.5

177.5

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270.1

In which, coal for electricity

14.4

15.2

33.6

38.0

82.S

90.8

112.7

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181.3

231.1

2. Planning zones

a/ Areas of coal exploration, exploitation and processing on an industrial scale

- The North East coal basin: Coal-bearing areas arc mostly distributed in Quang Ninh province, with some in Bac Giang and Hai Duong provinces. This basin accommodates the largest anthracite coal resources and reserves in the country to be mobilized from now to 2030 under the master plan:

- The Red River delta coal basin: Coal-bearing areas are mostly distributed in Thai Binh, Hung Yen and Nam Dinh provinces. This region has a vast sub-bituminous coal potential, with a still low level of exploration, difficult and complicated exploitation conditions regarding natural and living environments;

- Inland coal mines, including 6 coal mines (Nui Hong, Khanh Hoa, Lang Cam, Na Duong, Khe Bo and Nong Son) currently managed, protected and exploited by affiliate units of the Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation and Vietnam Steel Corporation. These mines have medium and small resources and reserves and capacities, exploited mainly by open-casting method, with coal resources and reserved mainly concentrated in Quan Trieu - Nui Hong and Lang Son.

b/ Areas of exploration, exploitation and processing on a medium and small scale

- Locally run mines: There are over 100 coal mines and sites with small resources and reserves scattered and distributed in different provinces and cities nationwide, with low industrial value and exploration levels:

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c/ Areas where mineral activities arc prohibited or temporarily prohibited: Provincial-level People's Committees shall coordinate with related ministries and sectors in identifying these areas and submit them to the Prime Minister for approval in accordance with the mineral law.

3. Total coal resources and reserves

- Total coal resources and reserves, calculated as of January 1, 2011, are about 48.7 billion tons, including:

+ Pit coal: 48.4 billion tons.

+ Peat coal: 0.3 billion tons.

- Coal resources and reserves to be mobilized under the master plan are 7.2 billion tons, including:

+ Pit coal: 7.0 billion tons.

+ Peat coal: 0.2 billion tons.

See details in Appendix I to this Decision (not printed herein).

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a/ From now to 2015

- The North East coal basin: By 2015 to complete projects lo explore coal resources and reserves belonging to the layers above -300 m, including new mines of Bao Dai, Dong Trieu -Pha Lai, East Trang Bach, Cuoc Be bay, East Quang Loi, and below -300 in in some areas to serve exploitation projects implemented in the period to 2020;

- The Red River delta coal basin: To complete the exploration of part of coal resources and reserves in the most potential areas with relatively favorable geological and mining conditions for implementing some pilot exploitation projects;

- Inland coal mines: To implement projects to explore coal resources and reserves of 6 coal mines (Na Duong. Nui Hong, Khanh Hoa, Lang Cam, Khe Bo and Nong Son);

- Local coal mines: To implement projects to explore resources and reserves of locally managed mines and sites:

- Peat coal mines: To implement projects to explore resources and reserves of peal coal-bearing areas;

- To explore to upgrade resources and reserves to ensure adequate and reliable coal reserves available for exploitation in the period to 2015.

b/ The 2016-2020 period:

- The North East coal basin: By 2020 to complete the exploration lo the bottom of the coal layers to ensure adequate coal resources and reserves available for exploitation in the period lo 2030:

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- Inland coal mines: To continue implementing projects lo explore resources and reserves of 6 mines (Na Duong, Nui Hong, Khanh Hoa, Lang Cam, Khe Bo and Nong Son):

- Local coal mines: To continue with projects to explore resources and reserves of locally managed mines and sites;

- Peat coal mines: To continue implementing projects to explore resources and reserves of peal coal-bearing areas;

- To explore to upgrade resources and reserves to ensure adequate and reliable coal reserves available for exploitation in the period to 2020.

c/ The 2021-2030 period

- The Red River delta coal basin: On the basis of results of implementation of exploration and pilot exploitation projects, to further expand exploration to create resources for increasing the exploitation output on an industrial scale;

- To explore to upgrade resources and reserves to ensure adequate and reliable coal reserves available for exploitation in the period to 2030.

See the list of exploration projects and volumes in Appendix II to this Decision (not printed herein).

5. Exploitation planning

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- The North East coal basin

+ To renovate and expand 61 mine projects under operation for higher capacity.

+ To close Suoi Lai opencast mines by 2015.

+ To construct 25 new mines with a capacity of 2 million tons/year/mine (10 mines in Cam Pha and 15 in (Jong Bi).

- Inland coal mines: To renovate and expand opencast mines under operation by applying advanced and synchronous equipment and technologies to increase exploitation output; to construct new pit mines to exploit coal beneath Khanh Hoa opencast mine.

- Peat coal mines; To renovate and expand mines under operation and constructing new ones to serve the manufacture of fertilizers, chemicals, fuels for residential consumption and thermal power generation.

- Local coal mines: To renovate and expand mines under operation and construct new ones on the basis of selecting capable and qualified organizations and individuals to explore and exploit coal to meet local demand.

- To make investment to maintain the capacity of constructed mines.

b/ The 2016-2020 period

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+ To close the Nui Beo opencast mine by 2017 and Ha Tu opencast mine by 2018.

+ To renovate and expand 2 mines for higher capacity.

+ To build 14 new mines with a capacity of 2 million tons/yea/mine (3 mines in Cam Pha, in Hon Gai and 8 in Uong Bi).

- The Red River delta coal basin: To invest in some pilot exploitation projects with the introduction of pit mining technologies and underground coal gasification (UCG) technology as a basis for development investment after 2020.

- Inland coal mines: To further renovate and expand existing opencast mines through introducing advanced and synchronous equipment and technologies to stabilize and increase their capacity when conditions permit.

- Peat coal mines: To renovate and expand mines under operation and construct new ones to serve the manufacture of fertilizers, chemicals, fuels for residential consumption and thermal power generation.

- Local coal mines: To further renovate and expand existing mines and build new ones on the basis of selecting capable and qualified organizations and individuals to explore and exploit coal to meet local demand.

- To make investment to maintain the capacity of constructed mines.

c/ The 2021-2030 period

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+ To renovate and expand 2 mines for higher capacity.

+ To construct new 8 mines with a capacity of up to 1.5 million tons/year/mine (3 mines in Hon Gai and 5 in Uong Bi).

- The Red River delta coal basin: On the basis of results of exploration and pilot exploitation, to build new mines with a capacity of about 3 million tons/year/mine. To additionally implement (when necessary) some pilot exploitation projects in explored areas so as to select appropriate exploitation technologies to increase total exploitation capacity in the basin.

- To make investment to maintain the capacity of constructed mines.

See the list of investments to renovate, expand and construct coal mines in Appendix III to this Decision (not printed herein).

6. Planning of coal preparation and processing

a/ From now to 2015

- To renovate, expand and modernize Cua Ong coal preparation plant and existing preparation clusters at mines to ensure environmental protection; to make investment in maintaining Hon Gai coal preparation plant (South Cau Trang) through 2015;

- To build new coal preparation plants with modern technology: Khe Cham (first phase) with a capacity of about 6 million tons/year; Hon Gai (first phase) with a capacity of about 4 million tons/year; Vang Danh II with a capacity of about 2 million tons/year and a preparation system with a capacity of about 1.6 million tons/ year in North Khe Cham area;

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b/ The 2016-2020 period

- The North East coal basin

+ To renovate and expand Vang Danh I preparation plant for a higher capacity of about 3 million tons/year; Khe Cham preparation plant (second phase) for a higher capacity of about 12 million tons/year, and Vang Danh II preparation plant for a higher capacity of about 3.5 million tons/year.

+ To build new centralized preparation plants with modern technology: Lep My (first phase) with a capacity of about 5 million tons/year; Khe Than (first phase) with a capacity of about 2.5 million tons/year: Khe Than (second phase) with a capacity of about 5.5 million tons/year and Mao Khe with a capacity of about 5 million tons/year.

+ To rearrange and reorganize existing preparation establishments/clusters according to the master plan.

- The Red River delta coal basin: To build some new support works which are necessary and appropriate to serve pilot mining projects.

- To make in-depth investment to maintain, upgrade and modernize constructed preparation plants.

c/ The 2021-2030 period

- The North East coal basin: To build new preparation plants in Dong Trieu - Pha Lai with a total capacity of about 4.5 million tons/year to serve coal preparation for mines in this area (Dong Trieu - Pha Lai mines I. II. III and IV): Hon Gai (first phase) with a capacity of about 8 million tons/year.

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- To make investment to maintain constructed preparation plants.

See the list of investments to renovate, expand and build coal preparation and processing plants in Appendix IV to this Decision (not printed herein).

7. Coal import and export orientations

To meet to the utmost domestic coal demands for different types and volumes of coal; to export a reasonable volume according to plan, and export only types of coal which are not needed or not yet needed in the country; to actively and proaclively seek coal import sources to help assure long-term energy security for the country.

8. Planning of electricity supply

- For the North East coal basin: To renovate and upgrade the operational electricity supply system according to the schedule of renovating and expanding mines to assure stable and safe supply of electricity for coal production; to build new power lines of 35 kV ÷220 kV and transformer stations of 35 kV ÷ 220 kV for areas with new mines. Pit mines must be supplied with electricity by double/circular circuits.

- For the Red River delta coal basin: During 2016-2020. to build an electricity system necessary for pilot exploitation activities. During 2021-2030. depending on exploitation scale and schedule, to consider renovating and building transmission lines and transformer stations to meet electricity demand of coal mines.

- To study and build an independent electricity system (connected to the national power grid) for pit mines (in general) from local power plants to ensure safe and stable electricity supply sources.

- To make investment to maintain the constructed electricity supply system.

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a/ From now to 2015

- Internal car-accessible road systems: To renovate, upgrade and construct some internal car-accessible roads in Uong Bi, Hon Gai and Cam Pha: to maintain and upgrade existing special-use internal roads.

- The railway system:

+ To renovate, expand and upgrade existing railway lines, use locomotives of over 1,000 HP to increase railway transport capacity.

+ To build a new double-track railway from Lan Thap station to Uong Bi A station and a 1,000mm-gauge railway from Lan Thap to Khe Than.

- Conveyor system: To invest in building 17 new conveyor lines with a total length of about 89.28 km.

- To make investment to maintain the constructed external transport system.

b/ The 2016-2020 period

- For the North East coal basin: To make investment to maintain the constructed external transport system.

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c/ The 2021-2030 period

- Depending on technology and expected exploitation output of the Red River delta coal basin, to build some new external transport systems to serve industrial-scale mining.

- To make investment to maintain the constructed external transport system.

See the list of investments in renovating and expanding the constructed external transport systems and building new ones in Appendix IV to this Decision (not printed herein).

10. Planning of coal export ports

a/ From now to 2015

- Uong Bi - Dong Tricu - Pha Lai region

+ Dien Cong port: To renovate and expand the port for a higher capacity of about 15 million tons/year to be able to receive barges of up to 500 DWT and ships of up to 2,000 DWT.

+ Ben Can port: To renovate and expand the port for a higher capacity of about 3 million tons/year to be able to receive barges of up to 500 DWT and ships of up to 1.000 DWT.

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- Hon Gai area

+ South Cau Trang port: By the end of 2015, to renovate the port for a higher capacity of about 5 million tons/year and dredge its fairways and channels to serve coal production and receive ships of up to 2,000 DWT. After 2015, this port will be renovated into a cargo port.

+ Viet Hung - Hoanh Bo port: To renovate this port to maintain its capacity of about 2 million tons/year to serve coal production at the mines in Hoanh Bo area through 2014, and receive ships of up to 500 DWT. After 2014, this port will be converted in to a port for importing coal production supplies and equipment for the mines in Uong Bi area.

+ Lang Khanh port: To construct this port with a capacity of about 7 million tons/year to replace coal loading wharves along Dien Vong river and receive barges of up to 500 DWT.

+ Ha Rang - Cai Mon port: To renovate this port for a higher capacity of about 1.5 million tons/year and dredge its fairways and channels to serve coal production through 2012, and be able to receive barges of up to 500 DWT.

+ To make in-depth investment to maintain and assure the capacity of constructed ports.

- Cam Pha area

+ Cam Pha port cluster: To upgrade and expand this cluster into a special-use port with integrated wharves and synchronous equipment and capacity of about 12 million tons/year and able to receive ships of up to 2.000 DWT.

+ Km6 port: To renovate and expand this port into a large port cluster (consisting of small ports in the area) with a capacity of about 5 million tons/year and able lo receive ships of up to 2,000 DWT.

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+ Cam Thinh (Bridge 20) port: To renovate and upgrade this port to reach a capacity of about 3 million tons/year lo serve coal production until the end of 2013 to be able to receive ships of up lo 2.000 DWT After 2013. this port will be transformed into a cargo port.

+ To make in-depth investment to maintain and assure the capacity of constructed ports.

b/ The 2016-2020 period

- Cam Pha area: Based on the socio­economic development demand of the region, to consider building in Cua Ong area a new cargo port (Cam Pha integrated porl) with a capacity of 8 - 13 million tons/year and able to receive ships of up to 2,000 DWT.

- For the Red River delta coal basin: To renovate and upgrade existing ports in Thai Binh and Hung Yen provinces to serve pilot exploitation projects.

- To make in-depth investment to maintain and assure the capacity of constructed porls.

c/ The 2021-2030 period

- The Uong Bi - DongTrieu - Pha Lai region: To build new coal ports of a total capacity of about 5 million tons/year to serve coal production in Dong Trieu - Pha Lai and be able to receive ships of up lo 1,000 DWT.

- For the Red River delta coal basin: Depending on the exploitation output, to consider building a number of new coal export ports in Thai Binh and Hung Yen provinces along the Red, Luoc and Tra Ly rivers to serve industrial-scale coal mining and receive ships of up to 1,000 DWT

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See the list of investments in renovating and expanding coal export ports and constructing new ones in Appendix IV to this Decision (not printed herein).

11. Planning of coal import ports

Depending on the progress of investment in thermal power centers according to planning, to build a number of new coal import porls (or special-use piers at integrated ports) in Central Vietnam and the Mekong River delta to serve the supply of coal for thermal power centers in the central and southern regions.

12. Investment capital

a/ Demand for investment capital

Total investment capital demand for the coal industry by 2030 is about VND 690.973 trillion (an annual average of VND 34.549 trillion).

- The period from now to 2015

The investment capital demand is about VND 208.580 trillion (an annual average of VND41.716 trillion), including:

+ VND 191.810 for new investment and upgrading and expansion (an average of VND 38.362 trillion/year);

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- The 2016-2020 period

The investment capital demand is about VND 109.156 trillion (an annual average of VND 21.813 trillion), including:

+ VND 87.173 for new investment and upgrading and expansion (an annual average of VND 17.435 trillion);

+ VND 21.983 trillion for investment to maintain production (an annual average of VND 4.397 trillion).

- The 2021-2030 period

The investment capital demand is about VND 373.237 trillion (an annual average of" VND 37.324 trillion), including:

+ VND 287.255 for new investment and upgrading and expansion (an average of VND 28.726 trillion/year);

+ VND 85.982 trillion for investment to maintain production (an annual average of VND 8.598 trillion).

b/ Capital sources

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IV. SOLUTIONS. MECHANISMS AND POLICIES

1. Solutions

- To step up survey, evaluation and exploration activities to prepare sufficient and reliable coal resources and reserves ready for exploitation under the master plan. On the basis of available geological documents, to formulate programs and plans for studying the exploitation and use of coal in the continental shelf.

- To introduce advanced methods of resource management; to properly protect coal resources; to effectively and closely control coal sources during exploitation, transportation, processing and consumption.

- To step up research, transfer and quick master of advanced technologies and techniques in coal exploration, exploitation and processing; to lake the initiative in studying and investing in the manufacture of equipment, machines and spare parts for the coal industry, first of all for pit mining, preparation and transportation.

- To synchronously apply technical and management measures to conserve resources and reduce costs in all stages of coal exploration, exploitation, processing, transportation and consumption.

- To research and develop processing technologies in order to diversify coal products for different domestic uses. To closely coordinate with related industries in studying the use of low-grade coal in the electricity generation and cement production and developing peat-using activities.

- To increase investment in technologies and equipment for labor safety assurance, especially gas alarming, fire and explosion prevention and fight, warning and prevention of water inundation at mines and mine collapse: to modernize and professionalize mine rescue forces.

- To speed up investment in mines through diversifying forms of investment to bring into the fullest play all resources, increase in vestment effectiveness and meet the output demand stated in the master plan. To diversify forms of raising investment capital: financial hire-purchase, contractual lease, bidding of some mine activities, issuance of bonds and shares, borrowing of commercial loans, etc, for development investment in coal projects.

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- To take the initiative in seeking opportunities and arranging capital sources for increasing investment in the overseas coal exploration and exploitation in various forms (joint venture, purchase of shares, purchase of mines, etc.).

- To make reasonable investment in the protection, conservation and improvement of the environment to ensure the industry's sustainable development.

- To increase investment and promote cooperation and association in and diversify modes of training so as to prepare and assure human resources for the implementation of the master plan.

2. Mechanisms and policies

- Regarding resource management

+ The North East coal basin: To assign the Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation to manage, explore and exploit coal resources under the master plan.

+ The Red River delta coal basin: To assign the Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation to assume the main responsibility for management and organization of the exploration, pilot application of technology and exploitation under the master plan.

- Markets: The coal industry will continue with the roadmap for adjusting coal sale prices applicable to domestic households under the market mechanism in order to encourage the reasonable use and conservation of coal resources, helping the coal industry stabilize production, balance finance and generate investment capital for the coal industry development under the master plan.

- Finance:

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+ The State arranges budget capital for baseline surveys in coal resources and formulation of the coal industry development master plan according to regulations.

Article 2. Organization of implementation

1. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall:

a/ Announce the master plan after it is approved: direct, guide, supervise, examine and urge the implementation of the master plan, assuring the set objectives, schedule and effectiveness;

b/ Update and assess the situation of coal supply and demand and implementation of exploration and exploitation projects so as to timely adjust and add the list of investments and the schedules of projects according to practical requirements;

c/ Direct the elaboration of and approve the master plan on coal zones and the master plan on exploitation and use of peat coal nationwide;

d/ Assume the prime responsibility for. and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, studying and improving mechanisms and policies related to coal production and trading so as to implement the master plan;

e/ Approve coal export plans: direct and guide the import and export of coal according to regulations; assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and sectors in, inspecting the coal import and export.

2. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall:

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b/ Grant coal mineral activity licenses in accordance with the master plan and current regulations.

3. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, mobilizing and calling for ODA capital for the coal industry development according to the master plan.

4. The Ministry of Transport shall assume the prime responsibility for. and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, updating and supplementing the master plan on transport regarding coal transshipment ports and transportation routes to serve the import of coal for coal-fired thermal power centers in the central and southern regions.

5. The Ministry of Finance shall assume the prime responsibility for studying and developing related financial mechanisms and policies (including mechanisms and policies to harmonize the interests between the central government and localities with coal mining activities) for the sustainable development of the coal industry.

6. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall assume the prime responsibility for studying and developing mechanisms and policies to encourage and promote the research. transfer and application of modern science and technology to serve the effective exploitation and use of resources in the deep layers of the North East and Red River delta coal basins; use of different types of processed coal products: effective use of low-grade coal, peat coal. etc.

7. The People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities shall:

a/ Coordinate with ministries, sectors, the Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation and related units in effectively implementing the master plan;

b/ Manage and protect unexploited coal resources outside the management boundaries of enterprises according to regulations; coordinate with enterprises in taking measures to manage and protect coal resources in the areas of operational mines;

c/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with investors in, carrying out ground clearance, population relocation and resettlement for coal investment projects according to regulations:

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e/ Assume the prime responsibility for zoning off and submitting to the Prime Minister for approval zones in which mineral activities are prohibited or temporarily prohibited; and manage mineral activities in accordance with the mineral law.

8. The Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation shall:

a/ Take the main charge of implementing the master plan and properly play the leading role in developing the coal industry in a sustainable manner;

b/ Take the initiative in formulating and implementing plans for investment and coal exploration and exploitation in accordance with the master plan to meet the coal demand of the economy in each period; take the main charge for supplying domestically exploited coal, and act as the focal point in coordinating with enterprises outside the group in importing coal to meet the domestic demand;

c/ Coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in formulating plans and measures for closely managing the exploitation, transportation and consumption of coal and preventing illegal activities.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect on the date of its signing.

Article 4. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies, chairpersons of provincial-level People's Committees; the Chairman of the Members' Council and director general of the Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation, and related organizations and individuals shall implement this Decision.-

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