Decree No. 160/2005/ND-CP detailing and guiding the implementation of the Law on Minerals and the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Minerals.

This Decree details and guides the implementation of the Mineral Law. The Decree consists of 15 Chapters divided into 72 articles.
Chapter II provides for powers and responsibilities of different ministries in the state management of minerals, mineral exploitation and processing industries. Activities and the management of activities of basic geological survey of mineral resources, and mineral planning are covered in Chapters III and IV. Chapters V and VI list and define precious, rare, special and hazardous minerals, and minerals used as common building materials. Organizations and individuals may be engaged in different mineral activities as provided for in Chapter VII. Chapter VIII describes mineral activity regions and areas. Articles 20 to 23 set out regions banned from mineral activities (Historical or cultural relics, special-use forests, etc), regions temporarily banned, and regions restricted from mineral activities. Chapter IX provides for fees for the grant of mineral activity permits and property rights in mineral activities. Chapter X deals with matters related to the appraisal and approval of the following: prospecting and exploration schemes; mineral exploration reports; mineral exploitation investment projects; mine designs; mineral activity reports; mine-closing schemes. Provisions for the grant, the extension, etc. of mineral activity permits are given in Chapter XI. Order and procedures for the grant of mineral activity permits, and evaluation and approval of mineral deposits are provided for in Chapter XII. An area of a region for full extraction of minerals shall not exceed ten hectares and a permit is necessary to fully extract minerals (Chapter XIII). The remaining Chapters contain provisions for the inspection and settlement of complaints and denunciations, and implementation provisions.