Currently, the demand for sand for transport infrastructure projects is up to 30 - 40 million m3/year.

The Government Office has just sent an official dispatch to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment conveying the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha regarding the proposal of Geleximco Group on solutions to resolve the shortage of sand for key national traffic projects and works.

Specifically, the Deputy Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to preside over and coordinate with the Ministries of Construction and Transport to study the recommendations of Geleximco Group to guide enterprises in implementing them according to their authority and legal regulations.

At the end of September 2024, Geleximco Group submitted a document to the Government leaders requesting permission for this unit to coordinate and work with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to develop and implement the "Project for exploration, assessment of reserves and exploitation of offshore sand" in the sea areas southwest of Bach Long Vi Island, southeast of Vung Tau City and southeast of Soc Trang province.

Geleximco Group also wants to coordinate and work with the People's Committees of Thai Binh, Soc Trang and Ho Chi Minh City to implement the "Investment project, treatment of saline sand for traffic and construction works" in which 3 strategic warehouses will be formed in the Thai Binh river mouth area in Thai Thuy district, Thai Binh province; Ganh Rai Bay area in Thanh An commune, Can Gio district, Ho Chi Minh City and Dinh An estuary area, in Cu Lao Dung district, Soc Trang province.

“Geleximco Group affirms that it will provide enough construction sand and filling for key projects in Vietnam in the next phases, when the above projects are built and implemented by Geleximco Group,” said Mr. Vu Van Tien.

Previously, Geleximco Group coordinated with the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to collect samples of offshore sand in Vietnam's sea areas (sea areas southwest of Bach Long Vi Island, southeast of Vung Tau City and southeast of Soc Trang province) to assess the possibility of using sea sand for various types of transport and construction works.

The research results confirm that the physical and mechanical properties of sea sand meet the requirements for use as foundation material, construction mortar and low-grade concrete. Sand after being exploited, screened, washed and treated to reduce salinity will meet the technical requirements for use in traffic works and construction works.

Thus, if sea sand is exploited and processed, it will soon solve the problem of shortage of construction materials and landfill to serve the development of transport infrastructure and key construction projects in Vietnam, said a representative of Geleximco Group.