Without mines, the supply of sand for projects, works, and construction services for the people in Muong Lat and Quan Hoa districts is facing many difficulties.
Project to build Pu Nhi Primary School, Muong Lat district.
Scarcity of sand for construction
As a poor border district, Muong Lat has received much attention for infrastructure investment. Currently, about 100 large and small construction investment projects are being implemented in the district. In order to have a source of sand for construction works and projects, contractors are having to sign contracts to purchase from Ba Thuoc, Quan Son, and Cam Thuy districts. The above shortcomings not only lead to "increased freight" costs, increasing the total investment of projects, but also make it difficult for businesses to find a source of sand 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 cubic meter of sand at the mine costs from 180 - 200 thousand VND, but to transport it to Muong Lat town, the price of sand is pushed up to 400 thousand VND; to Quang Chieu or Muong Chanh communes, the price of each cubic meter of sand increases to 500 - 600 thousand 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 purchase 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: Difficulties in the source of construction sand for projects and works have 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 the price for each project will be determined. For Muong Lat district, because there are no licensed sand mines, sand must be purchased from other localities, and the sand price is high. During the rainy and stormy season, the scarcity of sand 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, 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 people in the area, 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 for inclusion in the plan for auctioning mineral exploitation rights in the province in 2024. However, to date, 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 were low and the sand quality was not guaranteed, so the project was stopped."
Faced with the 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
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