Sand mining is the world’s largest mining endeavor. It is responsible for 85% of all mineral extraction. It is also the least regulated, possibly the most corrupt, and likely the most environmentally destructive. Sand is the second-most exploited natural resource in the world after water. Its global use has tripled in the past two decades. More than 50 billion tons of sand is extracted from the environment each year.
Sand plays a critical role in much of human development around the world. It is a key ingredient of concrete, asphalt, glass, and electronics. It is relatively cheap and relatively easy to extract. But we use enormous amounts of it.
Sand mining is a major threat to rivers and marine ecosystems. It is linked to coastal erosion, habitat destruction, the spread of invasive species, and damage to fisheries.
The harm from sand mining is only beginning to attract widespread attention. A recent study by an international group of scientists published in the journal One Earth identifies threats posed by sand mining. Sand extraction in marine environments remains largely overlooked, despite sand and sediment dredging being the second most widespread human activity in coastal areas after fishing.
Sand is generally seen as an inert, abundant material, but it is an essential resource that shapes coastal and marine ecosystems, protects shorelines, and sustains both ecosystems and coastal communities. Sand extraction near populated coastlines is particularly problematic as climate change makes coastlines increasingly fragile.
Like all other resources on our planet, even sand cannot be taken for granted. It must be responsibly managed.
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The rising tide of sand mining: a growing threat to marine life
Photo, posted February 7, 2013, courtesy of Pamela Spaugy / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio
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