Large reserves
According to the survey results of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in 2014, the reserve of white sand resources in Quang Nam is estimated at about 250 million tons, mainly distributed in the Eastern region of the province (Dien Ban, Duy Xuyen, Thang Binh, Tam Ky and Nui Thanh).
However, due to the socio-economic development process, especially with the adjustment of the general planning for the construction of Chu Lai Open Economic Zone to 2035, with a vision to 2050 by the Prime Minister (Decision 1737 dated December 13, 2018), some areas designated for white sand reserves have been affected by the implementation of projects.
Faced with this situation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has submitted to the Prime Minister a draft Decision approving national mineral reserve areas. Accordingly, white sand reserves in Quang Nam are only in 4 areas (total area of 24.2 km2), with total resources (forecast) of 113 million tons.
Specifically, the Binh Sa white sand reserve area (Thang Binh) has an area of 1.3 km2, forecast resources of 6 million tons, and a mineral reserve period of 50 years. The Binh Nam area (Thang Binh) has an area of 12.9 km2 , forecast resources of 60 million tons, and a mineral reserve period of 50 years.
Tam Tien area (Nui Thanh) has an area of 4.1 km 2 , estimated resources of 19 million tons, mineral reserve period of 50 years. Tam Hiep area (Nui Thanh) has an area of 5.9 km 2 , estimated resources of 28 million tons, mineral reserve period of 50 years.
However, when commenting on the draft dossier for approval of national mineral reserve areas (Document No. 5959/UBND-KTN dated September 12, 2022), the Provincial People's Committee proposed that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment continue to adjust and reduce the planned area of white sand mineral reserves in the province to more than 13.4 km2 .
According to Mr. Dang Ba Du - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, white sand is identified as a valuable raw material for deep processing of silica products, so its evaluation and reasonable exploitation will effectively serve the goals of local industrial development.
Currently, the exploitation of white sand in the province is being implemented by Quang Nam Mineral Industry Joint Stock Company at the Huong An white sand mine (Thang Binh district) and Que Son district with an area of 77.6 hectares, reserves of more than 3.4 million tons, exploitation capacity of 300,000m3 /year (after adjusting the exploitation license). However, most enterprises investing in exploiting and processing white sand are mainly for export (after washing, drying, and crushing).
Part of this product is also supplied to domestic units such as Chu Lai Float Glass Joint Stock Company, Hoang Tiep Vietnam Co., Ltd., Uc Thinh Glass Technical Development Company Limited... to produce silica products such as molds, construction glass, construction additives, solar panel production... Of which, Chu Lai Float Glass Joint Stock Company has the highest production capacity with about 900 tons/day.
Building silica chains
With 4 main product groups including ceramics; cement; refractory materials; glass, technical materials applied to high-tech industries..., deep processing from silica is one of the important and urgent industries in Quang Nam.
In particular, with the planned white sand mineral reserves that will be planned and used reasonably, Quang Nam has the potential to develop an industrial center for deep processing of silica products, forming important supply chains, helping to increase the production value of the silica industry not only in Quang Nam but also in the whole country.
Mr. Dang Ba Du acknowledged that the formation and development of a deep silica processing industrial center will create a foundation for the industry to exploit and process silica products at a high level, contributing to the creation of valuable industrial products and making important contributions to the economy.
Previously, at the end of March 2022, during a working program with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, provincial leaders proposed that the Government allow Quang Nam to form a deep processing industrial center for the silica industry.
In Notice 135 dated May 6, 2022, the Prime Minister also agreed in principle to transfer the areas of national mineral reserves for white sand in Quang Nam after reviewing the current status of works and projects on the ground, balancing resources, and sufficient sand reserves to include in the exploration and exploitation planning to serve practical needs and consider long-term reserves in the future.
At the same time, the People's Committee of Quang Nam province is assigned to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant agencies to urgently research and develop a project to develop and form an industrial center for deep processing of silica products in Quang Nam.
Implementing the direction of the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Industry and Trade has presided over and coordinated with relevant departments and branches to develop an outline of the project to form a silica deep-processing industrial center. On September 18, 2023, the Provincial People's Committee issued a decision approving the outline and budget estimate for the project.
Mr. Dang Ba Du said that on March 6, the Department of Industry and Trade sent a report to the Provincial People's Committee summarizing the process of implementing the project to establish an industrial center for deep processing of silica products in the province.
According to the province's direction, the project implementation progress will be completed in September 2024. However, the Department of Industry and Trade proposed to extend the implementation period to December 2024 because it has to wait for detailed regulations and instructions on the implementation of the Bidding Law.
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