Sand: The Resource We Forgot

Why sand is one of the most used natural resources on Earth, how demand for construction is depleting it, and the problem of illegal sand mining.

After water, sand and gravel are among the most extracted materials on Earth. They are essential for concrete, glass, roads and land reclamation. Yet sand is rarely thought of as a scarce resource.

Enormous demand

The UN Environment Programme estimates that the world uses around 50 billion tonnes of sand and gravel each year, enough to build a wall 27 metres wide and 27 metres high around the equator. Most is used in construction, as rapid urbanisation in Asia and Africa drives demand for buildings and infrastructure.

Why not use desert sand?

Deserts contain huge amounts of sand, but desert sand grains are usually too smooth and rounded, shaped by wind, to bind well in concrete. Construction relies mainly on angular sand from rivers, lakes, coasts and quarries. This makes some sand sources surprisingly scarce locally.

Environmental costs

Extracting sand from rivers and coasts can:

Lower riverbeds and water tables.
Damage bridges and embankments.
Destroy habitats and fisheries.
Increase coastal erosion.

Illegal sand mining

Because sand is valuable and easy to extract, illegal sand mining is widespread in many countries, including India. It is often linked to organised crime, and there have been violent attacks on officials, journalists and activists who tried to stop it. India’s courts and governments have introduced rules requiring environmental clearances and have promoted alternatives.

Singapore's land and sand

Singapore has expanded its land area by around a quarter since independence, largely through land reclamation using imported sand. This made it one of the world's largest sand importers. Several neighbouring countries later restricted sand exports, citing environmental damage, showing how demand in one country can affect rivers and coasts in others.

Alternatives

Alternatives include manufactured sand, made by crushing rock, recycled construction waste, and designs that use less concrete. Better regulation and monitoring can reduce harmful extraction.

Thinking sand is limitless

The world has vast amounts of sand, but not all of it is usable, and extracting it from rivers and coasts has real environmental costs. Locally, suitable sand can be scarce, valuable and fiercely contested.

Key takeaways

The world uses around 50 billion tonnes of sand and gravel a year, mostly for construction.
Desert sand is usually too smooth for concrete, so rivers and coasts are heavily mined.
Sand mining damages rivers, coasts and habitats, and illegal mining is widespread.
Manufactured sand, recycling and better regulation offer alternatives.