Minister of Industry and Commerce Mr Malaythong Kommasith chaired the meeting last week.

Ministry outlines plans to overhaul state-run mining enterprise

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce will prioritise governance reform, sustainable resource management, and increased state benefits over the 2026-2030 period as it transforms the Lao Mining Development State Enterprise (LMD) into a modern and competitive pillar of the mining industry.
To advance these priorities, the ministry convened a meeting on January 22 to discuss the development plan for the LMD, along with lessons learned from the overhaul of other state-owned enterprises, both in Laos and other countries.
The meeting, chaired by the Minister of Industry and Commerce Mr Malaythong Kommasith, focused on translating national policy into a concrete development plan for the LMD covering the years 2026-2030.
The development plan will be informed by the government’s Vision to 2040 and the Mineral Development Strategy for 2030, issued under Prime Minister’s Decree No. 194/PM.
These frameworks will form the basis of a roadmap for the development of the mining sector in line with green and sustainable principles.
Mr Malaythong said the mining sector is an economic spearhead, being a major source of state revenue and a key driver of development.
He highlighted the sector’s contribution to poverty reduction, infrastructure development, and balanced national growth. Mr Malaythong acknowledged that the Lao Mining Development State Enterprise has made progress in attracting investment and securing state equity participation in several large-scale mining projects.
However, he noted that challenges persist, including lengthy coordination procedures, the need to strengthen environmental sustainability, and operational inefficiency.
These issues must be resolved to ensure that the government and citizens receive full and fair benefits from mining operations, he said.
To address these issues over the next five years, the minister outlined plans to revamp the operations of the Lao Mining Development State Enterprise.
These include transforming the enterprise into a modern, transparent and competitive institution, strengthening management, and enhancing internal auditing systems to reduce delays and improve accountability.
He stressed the need to establish strict guidelines for joint ventures, under which partners must prove they have adequate capital, access to advanced technology, and strong ethical standards.
In addition, the relevant departments were instructed to strengthen their advisory role by improving coordination and revising legislation.
This would enable the LMD to operate more flexibly, address constraints related to geological data, ensure full and proper revenue collection, and improve overall governance of the mining industry. To support the implementation of the five-year plan, Mr Malaythong called for continuous monitoring and evaluation, supported by clear key performance indicators and regular reporting to the ministry’s leadership.
The meeting reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reforming the mining industry as a strategic driver of economic growth.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update January 26, 2026)