The Ministry of Natural Resources ("MNR") has recently issued the Specification for Minimizing Environmental Impacts of Field Operations in Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration (Draft for Comment) (the "Draft for Comment") to seek opinions from the entities concerned by January 10, 2020.
The Draft for Comment sets out the basic requirements for ecological and environmental protection concerning road construction, site formation, field construction and management, survey construction, and environmental restoration, during the geological survey and mineral exploration on the land. According to the Draft for Comment, the procedures for minimizing environmental impacts of field operations in geological survey and mineral exploration (the "green survey") involve four steps. First, before preparing the design for the geological survey, efforts should be made to find out the primary environmental impact factors, formulate the measures for environmental protection and environmental restoration, prepare the budget plan for expenditures, and have such plan embodied in the said design for the geological survey. Next, during the geological survey, actions should be taken to ensure the traceability of the whole process of the green survey, fill out worksheets for the green survey truthfully, and carry out regular checks. Third, after the completion of the geological survey, work on environmental restoration should commence and conclusions should be drawn for the green survey. Last, after the work on environmental restoration has been completed, the authority in charge of the project concerned will organize an acceptance inspection of the green survey. The Draft for Comment also provides clarifications on the scope of application, relationship between this standard and other relevant standards, among other matters.