The areas, which are under the licence-granting authority of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, are in the provinces of Bac Kan, Ha Giang, Phu Tho, Yen Bai, Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan, Thai Nguyen, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Tuyen Quang, Lam Dong and Lao Cai.
The list includes areas approved by the Prime Minister for uranium exploitation; those that have been earmarked under the coal industry development strategy; and areas with deposits of limestone, argillite and all minerals which are cement additives.
The list also includes areas that have already received licences for testing or mining.
The Prime Minister has asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to work with relevant agencies as well as localities to ensure that mining rights in the designated areas are not licensed via auctions.