Construction stone shortage, trucks lined up at quarry

Trucks and dump trucks line up to get stones at Son Phuoc quarry, Hoa Ninh commune. Photo: TRONG HUNG

Lying in the "cabin" waiting for goods

Late afternoon at Son Phuoc quarry of Trung Thanh Company Limited (Hoa Ninh commune, Hoa Vang), we recorded a long line of trucks on the road leading to the quarry. The air was quite stuffy due to the rock dust and the tired waiting of the drivers.

Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, representative of a company specializing in supplying civil construction stone in Da Nang , shared: “I have deposited money in advance but still cannot get goods regularly. The mine prioritizes large projects, agents like us have to postpone the schedule, so some days there is stone, some days there is not. The company always has to mobilize drivers to the mine to wait from night, hoping to have their turn the next day”. Driver Le Van Quy (Hoa Minh ward, Lien Chieu district) said: “To get stone, I have to drive to the mine the afternoon before, then hire a motorbike taxi to go home to rest. Early the next morning, I drive back to the mine to find a parking space, then wait my turn. Many days I have to wait until the afternoon to get about 10 cubic meters of stone. For nearly a month now, drivers and small construction units have been in dire straits”. Many other agents and construction material companies are in the same situation. Mr. Nguyen Huu Quang, owner of a construction materials dealer in Thanh Khe district, said: "Not only have construction stones increased in price, but the current supply of stones has almost tightened."

At Truong Ban quarry of Truong Ban Construction Company Limited, one of the largest quarries in Hoa Son commune (Hoa Vang district), although the mining capacity has been increased, it still cannot meet market demand. According to the representative of the quarry, the main reason is that most of the current output is prioritized for key infrastructure projects such as Hoa Lien - Tuy Loan expressway, Lien Chieu port, National Highway 14B... so the supply for small customers is limited. Mr. Nguyen Hai Lam, Director of Truong Ban Construction Company Limited, said that in 2024, the enterprise is allowed to increase its mining capacity by 15% to prioritize supply for key projects, however, the remaining amount of stone for sale is very limited. Mr. Ta Gia Manh Hung, Director of the Hoa Lien - Tuy Loan Expressway Project Management Board ( Ho Chi Minh Road Project Management Board) informed that after the city adjusted the mining capacity, the contractor is speeding up construction but is still worried about the lack of materials.

According to research, the shortage of construction stone is not only due to pressure from large projects, but also due to the limited number of mines in operation. Many large mines in Hoa Vang are due to close, while the application for extension or opening of new mines is facing legal and environmental problems. The entire city has only about 8 common construction material mines in operation, most of which are allocated to serve public investment projects. This puts many civil construction enterprises or small contractors in a passive position, increasing transportation costs, affecting progress and increasing prices.

Enhanced mining operations management solutions

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the city allows 7 quarries to increase their mining capacity by less than 15% in 2024, not exceeding the permitted boundaries and depths, and without having to adjust their mining licenses. The total additional volume is more than 177,000 m³, mainly serving public investment projects. Mr. Vo Nguyen Chuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: "The supply of construction materials is lacking. The city has directed mining enterprises to prioritize serving socio -economic development projects; at the same time, encourage investors with excess soil and rock sources at the project to apply for mining permits for use as filling materials." In addition to increasing the capacity of existing mines, the city is promoting the licensing process for new mines, reviewing actual capacity and reserves, and perfecting the mineral exploitation auction process.

In response to the reflection that some quarries do not sell directly to contractors but through intermediaries, causing prices to be pushed up, the Department of Construction requested mining units to report in detail on reserves, selling prices, distribution methods and intermediary partners. According to the initial report, the actual price of stone is higher than the announced price, many contractors have to buy through intermediaries with a large difference. The Department of Construction requested the quarries to strictly implement the Law on Prices, declare, list, report fully and take responsibility if there is a situation of price increase, causing market disorder. At the same time, the quarries must commit that all output with increased capacity will only serve key projects such as the Hoa Lien - Tuy Loan Expressway, Lien Chieu Port, National Highway 14B, resettlement areas, breakwaters and budget capital projects.

On May 14, the City People's Committee officially adjusted the license, allowing an increase in mining capacity at Truong Ban quarry. Previously, the city also issued Official Letter 4795/UBND-DTDT allowing additional mining at some operating quarries without needing to adjust the license. With these drastic moves, people and businesses expect that the supply of construction stone will be less stressful in the coming time, contributing to ensuring the progress of key projects.

TRONG HUNG

Source: https://baodanang.vn/kinhte/202506/khan-hiem-da-xay-dung-xe-tai-xep-hang-o-mo-da-4010612/