Presidential Decree No. 291/PR on the Promulgation of the Law on Minerals (Amended) (No. 31/NA).

This Presidential Decree enacts the amended Law on Minerals, establishing a comprehensive legal framework for the sustainable management and development of mineral resources in Laos. Aimed at protecting national interests and driving socio-economic growth, the law mandates that all domestic and foreign entities comply with strict regulations throughout the mining lifecycle. It prioritizes the "rational and sustainable" use of resources, ensuring that the extraction of national wealth contributes to long-term industrialization and modernization. The Law governs the entire mining lifecycle, from geological prospecting and exploration to extraction and high-quality processing.
To obtain exploration rights, developers must follow a regulated progression from the initial prospecting phase to a formal exploration agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Mines. This process requires a detailed proposal aligning with the National Mineral Development Plan and a rigorous state evaluation of the applicant's technical and financial capacity. Once granted, holders are obligated to conduct systematic studies of mineral quality and quantity while upholding rigorous health and safety standards.
Central to this legislation are the stringent environmental and social safeguards. Developers must conduct Social and Environmental Impact Assessments (SIA/EIA) and maintain legally binding management plans for monitoring air, water, and soil quality. Critically, the Law mandates site restoration, requiring companies to contribute to an Environmental Rehabilitation Fund and provide financial guarantees. These funds ensure post-extraction land is stabilized, decontaminated, and reforested, with failure to meet these standards resulting in bond forfeiture and legal penalties.