Securing Material Supplies: The Key to Accelerating Project Timelines
To maintain momentum and avoid market-driven delays, proactive sourcing of materials, particularly backfill soil, has become a key priority for major public infrastructure projects.
Lessons from the Gia Nghia Central Square Project
The Gia Nghia Central Square project, which broke ground in late 2022, was once hampered by a severe shortage of backfill materials. Situated in a depression near the Dak Nong River, the site required a massive volume of earthwork.
The turning point came in April 2025, when the Provincial People's Committee authorized the exploitation of the Dak Nut B mine. Spanning 3.5 hectares with a reserve of nearly 320,000 m³, this mine provided a dedicated supply that accelerated construction. Today, thanks to the combined efforts of investors and contractors, the main foundation has been completed, while auxiliary works are nearing completion.
The challenges in Gia Nghia reflect a broader systemic issue across the province's western region. The characteristic "inverted bowl" hilly terrain necessitates extensive leveling for almost any construction; however, the supply of backfill material remains inconsistent.
Proactivity: The Key for Investors
According to Project Management Board No. 3 (PMB 3), shortages of soil, sand and stone have become a persistent problem in western areas. Some contractors have had to source materials from distant locations, causing logistical delays and slowing key stages such as aggregate base installation and asphalt paving, which account for a significant share of contract values. Officials said the shortage stems from overlaps in mineral and land-use planning, along with complications in site clearance.
Currently, several high-priority infrastructure projects, including Provincial Roads 1 and 5 and the Dao Nghia - Quang Khe route, are under simultaneous construction. This surge in demand, combined with fuel price volatility, poses a direct threat to project timelines and public investment disbursement plans.
Addressing these concerns, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Trong Yen clarified that there is no physical shortage of fill material. The province has recently approved specific areas for non-auction mineral exploitation (Group IV) to streamline supply.
The proactive role of the investor is the decisive factor.
Le Trong Yen, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee
He said that while the province provides the legal framework, investors must take responsibility for evaluating efficiency, ensuring environmental compliance, and keeping extraction strictly within planning boundaries to support key socio-economic development goals.