中国砂石资源利用的现状、问题与解决对策研究

Trends,challenges,and mitigation strategies for the use of sand and gravel resources in China

以统计数据和现有研究为基础,本文概述了中国砂石的利用现状,包括当前砂石的价格变化趋势,供需冲突以及资源开采、运输和使用的影响.研究发现:①在过去的二十年中,全国对砂石资源的需求持续增长,但河砂的供应却逐渐减少,机制砂石已成为建筑骨料的主要来源.②存在与砂石开采、运输和消费相关的重大环境、经济和社会影响,包括非法供应网络的出现.为切实保障国家新基建的部署、社会经济可持续发展和生态文明建设,以及确定供应瓶颈和更有效地利用资源,提出了确保砂石资源供应,最小化砂石开采影响并促进中国砂石骨料行业可持续发展的解决对策.这些对策包括:对涵盖天然砂石和机制砂石的砂石资源的流量和存量进行量化,并建立可靠的数据监测系统;增加投资并建立相关机构,以优化供应系统和减少其影响,并加强监管框架,促进替代材料的使用,建立砂石行业的标准和实施最佳使用实践;进行跨学科的综合研究,以分析与砂石资源供应有关的挑战和应对策略的潜力和风险.

Sand,gravel,and crushed rock—together referred to as construction aggregates—are the world’s most extracted solid materials by mass.China’s annual consumption of construction aggregates reached over 20 billion tons in 2018,accounting for nearly half of global consumption.This article provides an overview of the use of sand and gravel in China,including current supply and demand conflicts and the impacts of mining,transportation,and use.We highlight that:①the national demand for sand and gravel has continued to grow in the last two decades;crushed rock has become the main source of construction aggregates,whereas the supply of river sand has significantly declined;and②there are significant environmental,economic,and social challenges associated with sand and gravel mining,transportation,and use,including the emergence of illicit supply networks.We then discuss opportunities to ensure sand and gravel supply,minimize mining impacts,and promote sustainable trajectories for the Chinese aggregates industry.First,the quantification of the material flows and stocks of construction aggregates that includes geological and anthropogenic stocks is crucial to identify supply bottlenecks and ensure more efficient use of resources.This requires establishing a reliable data monitoring system.Second,the government should increase investment and establish relevant institutions to optimize supply systems and minimize their impacts,strengthen the regulatory framework,promote the uptake of alternative materials,and establish standards and implement best practices in the aggregates industry.Finally,interdisciplinary integrated research is needed to analyze the existing challenges associated with the supply of sand and gravel resources as well as the potential and risks of adaptation strategies.