A series of sand mines are about to be exploited in the Mekong Delta

Still lacking sand

According to Mr. Le Anh Tuan - Deputy Minister of Transport, the Mekong Delta region is implementing 4 key expressway projects (My An - Cao Lanh; Cao Lanh - An Huu; Can Tho - Hau Giang, Hau Giang - Ca Mau; Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang).

Up to now, the source of sand for roadbed filling materials has been identified with a total reserve of about 56.75/54.45 million m3 for 4 projects. Of which, about 38.4 million m3 have been qualified for exploitation, the supply procedures for 18.35 million m3 are being completed and the source of 7.45 million m3 has not been identified.

For the Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway project, the source of 25.7 million m3 has been identified, a confirmation has been issued, and the conditions for exploitation of 23.1 million m3 are met; the exploitation procedures for 2.6 million m3 are being completed. However, the current exploitation capacity of the mines does not meet the supply capacity of the remaining 4 million m3, which must be completed by December 31, 2025.

The Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway project has identified a source of 24 million m3 of sand. The section through Hau Giang and Soc Trang provinces has identified sufficient supply, the section through An Giang province is short of 3 million m3 and the section through Can Tho city is short of 1.85 million m3.

“Although the basic reserves are sufficient, the exploitation capacity of sand mines is still limited and cannot meet the construction progress. Some mines have to stop exploitation due to excessive depth or the risk of riverbank landslides, so the volume cannot be guaranteed,” said Mr. Tuan.

Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan requested Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Soc Trang and Vinh Long provinces to speed up the completion of licensing procedures and increase the capacity of river and sea sand mines to promptly supply projects.

Mr. Lam Hoang Nghiep - Standing Vice Chairman of Soc Trang Provincial People's Committee informed - through initial survey, there are 8 sand mines that can be exploited, however, when re-evaluated, 4 sand mines do not ensure the reserves and quality. There is 1 sand mine (MS 11) which, through evaluation, has a deep sand layer (from 25m - 45m from the river bottom) under a 15-20m thick clay layer, with a level 333 resource of about 7.2 million m3.

Therefore, it is recommended that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment guide the province in exploiting deep sand at the MS11 river sand mine; continue to review, allocate and coordinate sand mines between provinces to ensure material sources for key projects in the regional transportation sector.

Increase capacity, license new mines

Mr. Nguyen Van Liet - Vice Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee - said that he will consider soon increasing the exploitation capacity of 3 sand mines located in Tra On district to supply contractors serving the Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway; urgently complete procedures to exploit 2 new mines, striving to be licensed in December 2024.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy - Vice Chairwoman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee - said that the province is completing procedures to re-grant licenses to exploit 7 areas to compensate for the remaining sand volume compared to the target assigned by the Government of 3 million m3.

Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh - Chairman of Tien Giang Provincial People's Committee - said that the province will grant licenses to exploit new sand mines to ensure sufficient supply of 3.25 million m3.

Similarly, Soc Trang province has also completed procedures and is qualified to exploit 1.7 million m3, and is completing procedures for 2.9 million m3 of river sand, expected to be exploited in the first quarter of 2025.