Difficulties in construction sand supply in Muong Lat and Quan Hoa districts

Without mines, the supply of sand for projects, works, as well as construction services for the people in Muong Lat and Quan Hoa districts is facing many difficulties.

Pu Nhi Primary School Construction Project, Muong Lat District.

Scarcity of sand for construction

As a poor border district, Muong Lat has received much attention for infrastructure investment. Currently, the district is implementing about 100 large and small construction investment projects. To have sand sources for construction works and projects, contractors are having to sign purchase contracts from Ba Thuoc, Quan Son and Cam Thuy districts. The above problems not only lead to "increased" transportation costs, increasing the total investment of projects, but also make it difficult for businesses to find sand sources for construction works.

Mr. Do Xuan Tung, a technical officer of Phuong Dong Construction Company Limited (located in Sam Son City) said: "The company is implementing 8 construction investment projects in Muong Lat district. The demand for construction sand and concrete sand is very large. While the district does not have a sand mine, the company is forced to sign contracts to purchase and transport sand from Ba Thuoc, Quan Son, and Cam Thuy districts. The distance is long, the transportation cost is high, on average each block of sand at the mine costs from 180,000 to 200,000 VND, but to transport it to Muong Lat town, the price of sand is pushed up to 400,000 VND; to Quang Chieu or Muong Chanh communes, the price of each block of sand increases to 500,000 to 600,000 VND. That is the case when there is sand to buy. Finding a source with enough sand reserves to meet the demand is not easy. To have sand, the unit even has to buy from many different sources.

Sharing the difficulties of contractors, Mr. Le Van Liem, Director of the Muong Lat District Construction Investment Project Management Board, said: Difficulty in the source of construction sand for works and projects has been a long-standing problem in the locality. Sand prices are according to the province's approved regulations. However, depending on each locality, additional indicators on sand quality, transportation costs, etc. will be calculated, from which prices will be set for each project. In Muong Lat district, because there are no licensed sand mines, sand must be purchased from other localities, and sand prices are high. During the rainy and stormy season, the sand shortage becomes more serious, which is one of the reasons affecting the progress of projects and works.

Early review and supplement of mining licenses

The sand shortage is also causing many difficulties and problems for construction investment projects in Quan Hoa district. Recently, on May 15, 2024, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province decided to close the sand mine on the Ma River, passing through Phu Thanh commune, for Truong An Mineral Exploitation and Trading Construction Company Limited. This is the last sand mine in operation before closing in the district.

Mr. Cao Xuan Thang, Vice Chairman of Phu Son Commune People's Committee said: "Phu Son Commune is focusing on building new rural areas, rural infrastructure projects are facing difficulties due to the scarcity of construction sand. Quan Hoa District no longer has any operating sand mines, forcing the locality to import sand from Mai Chau District ( Hoa Binh ). High prices and transportation costs have also increased the investment capital for projects, causing a lot of pressure on mobilizing contributions from the people."

Mr. Truong Cong Tuan, Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quan Hoa district, said: "In response to the demand for construction materials for socio -economic development projects and construction needs of the local people, on December 5, 2023, the People's Committee of Quan Hoa district issued a document proposing to the Provincial People's Committee on mineral mines eligible to be included in the plan to auction mineral exploitation rights in the province in 2024. However, up to now, no sand mines have been licensed to operate."

Similarly, Mr. Ha Van Te, Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Muong Lat district, said: "Although Muong Lat district has planned 6 sand mining sites, up to now, no sand mine has been licensed for exploitation. In early 2024, the district implemented a project to clear the flow of the Ma River through Muong Lat town and Tam Chung, Muong Ly, Trung Ly communes, Muong Lat district", however, the sand reserves are low and the sand quality is not guaranteed, so the project has stopped operating".

Faced with the current shortage of sand resources for construction projects and people's construction needs, reviewing, promptly supplementing, and licensing sand mines is considered an urgent requirement.

Article and photos: Dinh Giang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/kho-khan-ve-nguon-cung-cat-xay-dung-tai-cac-huyen-muong-lat-quan-hoa-222786.htm