The draft amendment to the Mineral Resources Law was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for its third review on the 4th. To promote the rational exploration and utilization of mineral resources and strengthen the protection of both mineral resources and the ecological environment, the draft amendment further enhances provisions related to ecological restoration work in mining areas.
　　The third draft of the bill adds a provision stipulating that local people's governments at or above the county level shall strengthen overall coordination and supervision of ecological restoration efforts in mining areas. The bill also specifies that ecological restoration plans for mining areas must include specific measures for the ecological restoration of tailing ponds, and clarifies that where mining areas are capable of conducting both mining and restoration simultaneously, they shall do so concurrently.
　　To strengthen the management of tailing ponds formed by mining activities and to prevent safety risks, the third draft of the bill adds a provision stating: Mining activities shall enhance the management of the construction, operation, and closure of tailing ponds, thereby mitigating ecological and safety risks.
　　Some localities, departments, and members of the public have pointed out in response to the second draft that basic geological surveys play a crucial role in the rational exploration and protection of mineral resources, and they suggested enriching the content in this regard. Accordingly, the third draft has added a new provision stipulating that the State shall establish and improve a system for basic geological surveys, strengthen such surveys, and provide fundamental geological data to support the exploration, mining, and protection of mineral resources.
　　The third draft of the bill also adds provisions aimed at actively promoting international cooperation in the field of mineral resources, stipulating that the state will implement a system under which exploration and mining rights are obtained against payment, fully taking into account the land requirements for mining operations and ensuring proper alignment with relevant laws, thereby further improving the system governing mining land use.