Vietnamese authorities are desperately searching for new sources of construction sand amid dire warnings that the country is running out of the natural resource.
The Straits Times reports that scientists from Vietnam's Institute of Transport Science and Technology (ITST) issued an alert last week that domestic natural sand supplies may run dry in five years.
Reserves of the resource have rapidly dwindled in recent years thanks to the huge number of construction projects underway nationwide. Another 100 million cubic meters of sand is still needed every year in order to keep up with construction demand. Sand is a key need for construction projects, and only a certain type can be used.
In response to this pressing situation, ITST experts have suggested using artificial sand created by grinding rocks in order to replace demand for natural sand.
According to Tuoi Tre the rocks needed for this process can be found in southern Vietnam. The institute's specialists claim that artificial sand is up to 15% cheaper than natural sand, and is also higher in quality.
At a meeting last week between ITST and Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Transport several local businesses asked municipal leaders to allow them to use artificial sand and help produce it. Such material is already used for construction projects in countries like Canada, the United States, Germany and China.
Construction companies are also interested in artificial sand since the price of natural sand has skyrocketed this year after the government cracked down on illegal mining of the resource.
Tuoi Tre shares that sand prices have risen as much as 200% since April, creating huge additional costs for firms. Sand has long been exported to foreign countries such as Singapore, which also has a voracious appetite for sand, though Vietnam's Ministry of Construction has been ordered to halt this practice.
Thus far there is no concrete plan to implement widespread use of artificial sand, but ITST's warnings are sure to serve as a wake-up call.
[Photo via Tuoi Tre]
