Sand exploitation for key projects must focus on landslide prevention

(VLO) That is the note of the Central Party Committee member, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh at the working session with the Provincial People's Committee on October 12, to review and coordinate the source of sand for filling to serve the construction of the expressway project.

According to the report of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Vinh Long only has 7 valid and active river sand mining licenses, with a mining capacity of 835,000 m3/year, not meeting the demand for sand for key projects in the province.

According to plan, Vinh Long province is allocated and supplied with 5 million m3 of sand for the Can Tho- Hau Giang and Hau Giang-Ca Mau expressways in 2023 and 2024.

At the meeting, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - Lu Quang Ngoi said that the province had encountered many difficulties in selecting and surveying mines to introduce to contractors, ensuring sufficient sand supply for the highway project.

In addition to committing to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to provide sufficient quantity of sand for the Can Tho-Hau Giang and Hau Giang- Ca Mau expressways as required by the Ministry of Transport, Mr. Lu Quang Ngoi proposed that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment continue to survey and conduct a comprehensive assessment of sand output and environmental impacts on rivers to determine the volume and quality of minerals, and have a reasonable, effective and sustainable exploitation plan; coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to research, issue regulations on coordination and implementation and specify the specific responsibilities of relevant ministries, branches, investors, contractors and localities for sand mines implemented under a specific mechanism.

Concluding the meeting, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh noted that, in addition to sand exploitation to serve the implementation of key projects, Vinh Long province must always focus on preventing landslides during the sand exploitation process, ensuring the safety of people's lives.

In particular, it is necessary to coordinate inter-sectoral and have better linkage mechanisms with neighboring provinces, sharing resources to ensure socio-economic development, protect resources and the environment, and adapt to climate change.

News and photos: TIEN-LY

Source