The Ministry of Construction has recently issued a circular to ban export of eight minerals used to manufacture construction materials.

The minerals are limestone and other materials used for manufacturing cement; building stone from the south eastern and south western regions; freestone; salted sand; construction sand; different kinds of gravel; felspat and all kinds of clay and soil.

Meanwhile, some kinds of minerals allowed for export, including white sand, limestone used for glass, ashlar paving stones, quartzite and pyrophuyllite, must be exploited at mines which have valid licenses.

The Saigon Times cited Le Van Toi, Head of the Ministry of Construction’s Construction Materials Department as saying that the ban was necessary to ensure domestic demand. Massive exports of sand over recent years could result in a serious sand shortage.

He added that stone in the northern and central regions could be exported thanks to their abundant volume; however, firms must conform to some specific requirements. Meanwhile, the southern region faces a shortage so it should be prohibited from export.

The Ministry of Construction has worked with agencies and ministries to conduct regular or spot checks on local mineral exports to detect violations.

Any individual or organisation breaking the regulations could be subjected to fines, compensations or civil proceedings.

The ministry’s newly-issued Circuilar No.04/2012/TT-BXD will take effect from November 6.