Work starts on Hue Premium Silica plant on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Do Truong

Viet Phuong Group on Tuesday began construction of a low-iron sand and quartz powder processing plant in Phong Dien District, the central province of Thua Thien–Hue.

Covering 7.3ha in Phong Hien Commune, the VND850 billion (US$36.5 million) plant has a designed capacity of 230,000 tonnes of products a year. It is slated for completion in the first quarter of 2021, online newspaper kinhtemoitruong.vn reported.

During the plant’s groundbreaking ceremony, chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Phan Ngoc Tho said the project was a bright spot for the province's industrial sector.

The Hue Premium Silica plant is one of 15 key projects the province is determined to implement this year, Tho said.

He also emphasised the importance of ensuring the development of licensed projects amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

The chairman vowed that local authorities would create the best conditions so the investor can implement the project as scheduled.

General director of Viet Phuong Group Phuong Minh Hue said the plant is the first of its kind in Viet Nam which produces high-quality low-iron sand and quartz powder. The plant’s products will be provided for domestic manufacturers of super-white glass and solar panel glass.

According to local authorities, the exploitation of Phong Dien white sand area was approved by the Government in 2008.

With a total area of 135sq.km in Phong Hoa, Phong Binh, Phong Chuong, Phong Thu, Phong Hien communes as well as Phong Dien Town, the zone’s sand reserve is estimated at 127 million cubic metres. The sand in the area is suitable for processing high-grade glass, optical glass and solar cells, they said. — VNS