Abstract:

[Objective] Scientifically and efficiently protecting and utilizing river sand resources is fundamental to ensuring stable economic, social, and ecological development. [Methods] This study systematically collected and organized data related to sand mining management in the Pihe River, supplemented by field investigations, site inspections, and theoretical analysis, to examine the current management status and identify problems and challenges in regulatory supervision. [Results] Sand mining management of the Pihe River faced the following problems: incomplete and low-quality data for the formulation of sand mining plans; inconsistent quality in the implementation plans across counties and districts, with some merely replicating the original planning documents; differing supervision approaches and standards among municipalities, districts, and counties along the river, indicating the need for improved joint oversight; limited tools to regulate and monitor the minimum excavation elevation; and inadequate sand mining data management in some areas, where records remained largely paper-based and unstandardized. Measures and proposals were put forward to strengthen the supervision of river sand mining, including enhancing the preparation of sand mining plans, scientifically formulating implementation plans, establishing joint supervision mechanisms across municipalities, districts, and counties, strengthening whole-process management of sand extraction and transport, and standardizing sand mining data management. [Conclusion] Future efforts should focus on: (1) establishing a coordinated sand mining management mechanism, led by governments at or above the county level, with water authorities taking the lead, coordinated by relevant departments, and subject to public supervision, to strengthen integrated management; (2) enhancing whole-process supervision of sand mining activities before, during, and after extraction; (3) promoting the application of new technologies, such as BeiDou monitoring systems for river sand mining, electronic documentation for sand transportation, electronic sand mining permits, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. The findings can serve as a reference for sand mining management in rivers nationwide and support lawful, scientific, and standardized sand extraction.

Key words: river sand mining, sand mining management, measures and proposals, Pihe River