Over 50 Large-Scale Sand and Gravel Projects Advance Despite Market Downturn in China

Market Paradox: Production Falls 9% While Mega Projects Accelerate

China‘s sand and gravel industry is navigating a profound contradiction. According to the China Sand and Gravel Association, national output reached 13.9 billion tonnes in 2025, down 8.9% year-on-year—marking the fifth consecutive year of simultaneous volume and price decline. The first half of 2026 offered little relief: production fell another 9% to approximately 6.32 billion tonnes, with the national average price dropping to RMB 80.1 per tonne (approximately USD 11), down 5.26% year-on-year. Capacity utilisation across the industry stands at just 33.7% , while the operating rate is only 51.23%. Real estate investment plunged 19.2% in the first seven months of 2026, and infrastructure investment turned negative for the first time in the current cycle. Yet, against this backdrop of apparent crisis, more than 50 large-scale sand and gravel projects are advancing across China, with combined annual capacities measured in hundreds of millions of tonnes. This paradox defines the industry‘s new reality: the market is contracting in volume, but consolidating rapidly toward larger, more efficient operations. OCP Mechanical Company, with over 40 years of manufacturing experience, supplies the crushing and screening equipment that these mega-projects require. Our direct factory model eliminates intermediaries, giving you factory-direct pricing and responsive technical support.

East China: 15 Projects with 73 Million Tonnes Annual Capacity and RMB 33.3 Billion Investment

East China is the most intensive region for large-scale sand and gravel project development. According to provincial 2026 key project lists, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi provinces have 15 sand and gravel-related mining projects under development, with a combined annual capacity exceeding 73 million tonnes and total investment surpassing RMB 33.3 billion. The flagship project is the Chizhou Hengshan mining area in Anhui—the largest single under-construction project in East China—with designed annual capacity of 40 million tonnes of limestone, total investment of approximately RMB 9.15 billion, and total resources of approximately 814 million tonnes. Other major projects include the Tongcheng Fengxiangling gneiss mine with annual capacity of 9.8 million tonnes and total investment of RMB 3.2 billion, and the Taihu Yangwushan gneiss mine with annual capacity of 9 million tonnes and investment of RMB 1.74 billion. These projects reflect the region‘s strategic priority: replacing small, inefficient operations with large-scale, compliant, and intelligent mines that can reliably supply the Yangtze River Delta‘s construction demand.

South China: Guangdong‘s 16 Projects with 3 Billion Tonnes Annual Capacity

Guangdong province has emerged as the nation‘s largest regional battlefield for sand and gravel investment. The province‘s 2026 key construction project list includes 16 sand and gravel projects with combined total reserves of 5.75 billion tonnes and annual capacity exceeding 300 million tonnes—the highest concentration of capacity and capital in the country. A flagship example is the Yangxi Phoenix Ridge gneiss mine in Yangjiang, developed by CCCC Fourth Harbor Engineering Co. with total investment exceeding RMB 5.4 billion. The project features designed annual mining capacity of 9 million cubic metres, producing 15.7 million tonnes of crushed stone aggregates and 11.45 million tonnes of manufactured sand annually—a total of over 27 million tonnes of sand and gravel products. The project completed trial production in March 2026 and is ramping toward full commercial operation. Other major projects include the Yunfu Yuanlin mine (annual capacity 15 million tonnes, investment RMB 4 billion) and the Jiangmen Taishan mine (annual capacity 22.35 million tonnes). These projects are being designed as green, intelligent benchmark mines, with features including dual flexible production lines capable of switching aggregate specifications to adapt to market demand, long-distance conveyor corridors, and integrated port shipping infrastructure.

Central China: Xianning Dolomite Project Enters Trial Production

In central China, the Xianning Dawusha dolomite mine in Hubei province has reached a critical milestone. The project, developed by Xianning High-tech Mining Co. with total investment of RMB 1.043 billion, covers 957 mu (approximately 64 hectares) and holds total dolomite reserves of 97.04 million tonnes. Designed for annual capacity of no less than 4 million tonnes with a service life exceeding 20 years, the project adopts an EPC+F+O model integrating mining, intelligent processing, and green operations. The project secured its mining rights in August 2024 for RMB 500 million and obtained its mining licence just two months later—50% faster than the industry average. Construction is now racing toward the July 2026 trial production target, with external road earthworks completed, plant buildings capped, and equipment installation advancing on a compressed schedule. The project is positioned as a demonstration of green intelligent mining, with environmental investment accounting for approximately 2% of total project cost. For central China, the project will help alleviate the shortage of high-quality aggregates and support regional infrastructure development and steel industry supply chains.

Equipment Implications: Mega-Projects Demand Mega-Capacity Crushing Solutions

The scale of these projects fundamentally changes equipment requirements. A project producing 27 million tonnes per year of sand and gravel requires a crushing circuit capable of processing over 3,000 tonnes per hour across primary, secondary, and tertiary stages. For the Yangxi Phoenix Ridge project, the processing plant has a designed capacity of 6,000 tonnes per hour, with a 3.725-kilometre long-distance conveyor corridor linking the mine to the port. The Chizhou Hengshan project, with 40 million tonnes annual capacity, requires primary crushing equipment capable of handling over 5,000 tonnes per hour. At this scale, equipment selection is no longer about individual machines—it is about complete, integrated systems that must deliver continuous high-capacity operation, minimal unplanned downtime, and consistent product quality across multiple product fractions. A three-stage closed-circuit flowsheet with VSI shaping and rod mill sand production requires careful matching of crusher capacities, screen areas, and conveyor throughputs. Any bottleneck at a single stage translates directly into lost production across the entire line—an economic penalty measured in tens of thousands of tonnes per day.

OCP Mechanical Company: Factory-Direct Equipment for Large-Scale Aggregate Projects

For large-scale aggregate projects, equipment reliability and system integration are paramount. OCP Mechanical Company, with over 40 years of manufacturing experience, supplies the core crushing and screening equipment required for these demanding applications. Our product range includes jaw crushers and gyratory crushers for primary crushing, multi-cylinder hydraulic cone crushers for secondary and tertiary reduction, VSI sand making machines for shaping and sand production, rod mills for joint sand manufacturing, vibrating screens in single, double, and triple-deck configurations, sand washing and fine sand recovery systems, and belt conveyors engineered for high-capacity material handling. We understand the specific demands of large aggregate projects: equipment must handle abrasive, high-compressive-strength feed while maintaining throughput over extended service intervals. As a direct factory manufacturer, we eliminate distributor margins, passing the savings directly to you—a significant advantage when capital expenditure for a complete processing line runs into the tens of millions of yuan. All price information provided is for reference only; final quotes depend on equipment configuration, shipping terms, optional features, and current exchange rates. Our engineering team works closely with each customer to design custom crushing and screening plants that match specific ore characteristics, product mix requirements, and site conditions. Product specifications are continuously updated; please consult our online customer service for the latest technical parameters tailored to your application.

Your Next Step: Get a Custom Quote for Your Mega-Project

The wave of over 50 large-scale sand and gravel projects advancing across China—from Anhui‘s 40-million-tonne Chizhou Hengshan mine to Guangdong‘s 27-million-tonne Yangxi Phoenix Ridge project—signals a defining trend: the industry is consolidating toward fewer, larger, and more technically demanding operations. For project developers and EPC contractors, selecting the right crushing and screening equipment is fundamental to achieving production targets efficiently and profitably. OCP Mechanical Company offers factory-direct, high-quality crushing and screening solutions engineered for durability, energy efficiency, and low total cost of ownership—all at competitive prices. Our online customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide free consultations, updated price references, and equipment selection guidance. Click the chat button now to discuss your project with a specialist—we are ready to help you build a more efficient and profitable processing operation.