Hundreds of thousands of tons of apatite by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to allow exports. In pictures: apatite mining plant in Lao Cai apatite - Photo: S

Only in the first five months of 2013, the business was licensed exports more than 3 million tons of minerals, ores mainly according to many experts, but so far, they are still considered raw minerals. Had associations, firms that export minerals rushing this form not only the loss of national resources but also pushed many manufacturing plants in danger of closing due to lack of raw materials.

Waste of national resources

Pham Chi Lan (former member of the Research Unit of the Prime Minister): Do not sell off national resources

Resources are national assets. If for some business difficulties that removing bans export of raw resources, only a few businesses can benefit, not necessarily a positive impact globally. Maybe slates for business in many ways, not by selling resources. Day 12-4, VN Steel Association has written proposal not to export iron ore, in order for production projects in the country and warned the risk of a steel manufacturing plant may have to stop production for lack of material!

Talking with Tuoi Tre, Pham Chi Cuong, chairman VN Steel Association, said that this batch of ore for export mainly raw ore, just dug up, washed and manufacturing.

According to Pham Chi Cuong, types of ore reserves, including iron ore, the VN is not much. If not careful, just for export, the risk of domestic steel mills will not be material in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to review the policy for export of raw minerals.

Similarly, Hoa Phat Steel Joint Stock Company has a written request not to export iron ore, and pledged willing to buy the entire processed iron ore prices equal to or higher than the export price!

However, in a recent text sent to the Prime Minister, Ministry of Industry and Trade said that the policy for export of mineral inventories as measures to remove difficulties for enterprises ... to continue!

On the proposal of the HPG, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said it would agree to stop producing iron ore if HPG committed before the Prime Minister is going to buy the entire inventory of iron ore in the country, with plans, measures and time limits specific. Explanation making these conditions, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that in fact occurred condition metallurgical enterprises do not know the policy for export of ore should have prices, that payment delays are not fair .. .

Behind the inventory crisis

Back stories mineral exports, according to the understanding of Youth, on 21-12-2012, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has sent 23 texts provincial guidelines for checking inventory for export licenses. This document was developed in the literature (dated 17-12-2012) of the Office of Government conveying direction of the Prime Minister to allow the export of minerals inventory, remove difficulties for enterprises.

It is noteworthy that only five months later, on 6-5-2013, the Ministry of Industry and Trade reported to Prime Minister said there were about 3.07 million tons of minerals of all kinds, including iron ore, ore ilmenite (titanium) , apatite, manganese, copper ... has allowed exports. According to our understanding, even after the "green light" export of raw minerals, many businesses have "inventory" inventory exceed the number of licenses to be exploited.

For example, in a text (725 / BCT-CNNg), Ministry of Industry and Trade said that the number of 471 000 tonnes in Nghe An inventory is too large compared with reserves of petroleum and mining capacity, while confirming only allows businesses in Nghe An export accordance mining capacity stated in the license. Similarly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has prompted businesses and Lang Son province, due to happen as now stated as the process exploited to detect the higher level should have mining licenses and large inventories.

Talking with Tuoi Tre, Dr Le Dang Doanh, former Research Director of the Institute of Economic Management Central, said that allowing firms exporting raw minerals to release inventory, solving problems .. . is acceptable during difficult economic situation. However, to allow the export of raw minerals to the extent needed to consider. "Enterprise simultaneously allowed for export, but the destination is mainly Chinese, I think, very easy to make VN extorted businesses, to sell resources for cheap, ineffective" - Doanh said .

Also according to Business, the main mechanism for decentralized and loose management authorities have created conditions for business advantage. In fact, the state of the mine reserves may be greater, but it is intentionally broken to local licensing and management, then gradually raise the volume up. "In the long term, big or small mines have been conducting auctions exploitation, because this is not the private property of the local government which is a national asset" - Doanh said.