Coal ash, sea sand as potential solutions for ground leveling in VSIP Can Tho project

Nguyen Van Hieu, Secretary of the Can Tho Party Committee, chaired a meeting on July 23 with the city's leadership, various local departments, and investors regarding the progress of the VSIP Can Tho Industrial Park project in Vinh Trinh commune, Vinh Thanh district.

According to Nguyen The Vu, Deputy General Director of VSIP Can Tho Joint Stock Company, the fluctuating prices and supply of fill sand in the region and in Can Tho city have posed significant challenges for the project.

"The price of sand has significantly increased after VSIP began investing in the project in Can Tho city. The company is expected to invest an additional 800 billion VND to use river sand as fill materials. As a result, VSIP requested an extension to propose a pilot method and process for utilizing coal ash. On the other hand, VSIP is not hesitant to use sea sand as fill materials; however, customers may express concerns regarding environmental issues and insurance. Consequently, VSIP is in need of detailed regulations and guidelines," Deputy General Director Vu explained.

Deputy General Director Vu noted that the company has actively explored alternative sources of fill material. Additionally, VSIP Can Tho has requested approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) to adjust and supplement the use of coal ash mixture as fill material.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has issued a statement indicating that the project has received approval for its environmental impact assessment results; however, the project is currently under construction.

VSIP Can Tho's proposal to add a mixture of thermal power plant coal ash as fill material for the project site does not fall under the provisions outlined in Clause 2, Article 27 of Decree 08/2022/ND-CP, which details several aspects of the Law on Environmental Protection.

Furthermore, the addition of coal ash mixture as fill material must comply with the technical requirements outlined in the technical guidance on the usage of coal ash from thermal power plants as fill material. This requirement is listed under Decision No. 216/QD-BXD, issued by the Ministry of Construction on March 28, 2019.

VSIP Can Tho must implement measures and constructions to prevent the use of the aforementioned materials from causing environmental pollution. As a result, VSIP Can Tho is not required to re-submit an environmental impact assessment report when using coal ash mixture as fill material for the project site.

On the other hand, VSIP Can Tho has proposed Can Tho City People's Committee to issue an official agreement that allows the company to use coal ash on an area of 5 to 10 hectares. The company will monitor the effects of this initiative, and report the results to the city and relevant ministries as a basis for expansion.

Nguyen Van Hieu requested VSIP Can Tho to seek approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for the pilot use of coal ash and sea sand as fill materials.

Party Secretary Nguyen Van Hieu emphasized the importance of strict technical requirements for the use of sea sand. He also recommended VSIP Can Tho to consult with the My Thuan Project Management Board (Ministry of Transport), which is currently using sea sand as fill material for the Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway.

During a meeting to address challenges and promote transportation infrastructure in the Mekong Delta region with the Prime Minister, various ministries, sectors, and local governments on July 13, Party Secretary Nguyen Van Hieu proposed the Government to pilot the use of sea sand and coal ash for road construction and industrial park infrastructure.

Subsequently, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh voiced his agreement with Can Tho city's proposal. He also requested the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to provide Can Tho city with instructions during the implementation process.

Can Tho City People's Committee issued an investment registration certificate for the VSIP Can Tho Industrial Park project on October 25, 2022.

The project received funding from three investors: Becamex IDC Corp., Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park Joint Venture Company Limited, and Vietnam-Singapore Urban and Industrial Park Development Joint Stock Company.

The first phase of the project covers an area of 293.7 hectares, with a total investment capital of 3,717 billion VND. The project has an operational term of 50 years starting from the date of investment policy approval.

The project must be completed within 36 months from the date of land handover by the Government.