The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is drafting a new Decree to supplement Decree 164/2016/NĐ-CP on environmental protection fees on mineral extraction. Particularly, the recommendation is that the minimum fee will be equal to the current maximum fee; and the maximum fee will be 200% of the current maximum fee (for minerals extracted as common construction materials). Currently, the fee for the extraction of gravel, pebbles, gravel, sand, clay, and stone ranges from 1,500 – 6.000 VNĐ/m3. This frame of fee is low and does not encourage the use of alternative construction materials. Additionally, mining activities have caused riverbank erosion and environmental pollution in many areas. The increase of fees is expected to minimize these limitations, according to the MoF.
Sources & further information: “Đề xuất tăng phí BVMT trong khai thác cát, sỏi làm vật liệu xây dựng” at http://baochinhphu.vn, “Đề xuất tăng mạnh phí bảo vệ môi trường trong khai thác cát, sỏi làm vật liệu xây dựng” at https://kinhtemoitruong.vn, “Điều chỉnh phí bảo vệ môi trường với khai thác khoáng sản, hạn chế tác động xấu đến môi trường” at https://tapchitaichinh.vn, accessed on 13 December 2021.