what is sand mining

Sand mining is the extraction of sand from various sources, including open pits, beaches, inland dunes, and ocean and river beds. Sand is a crucial material used in manufacturing, such as in concrete and as an abrasive. Sand mining is a global industry worth around $70 billion, with some 50 billion tons of sand extracted each year. However, sand mining is becoming an environmental crisis due to its negative effects on the environment. The removal of physical coastal barriers, such as dunes, can lead to flooding of beachside communities, and the destruction of picturesque beaches can cause tourism to dissipate. Sand mining also causes major habitat destruction, leading to the permanent loss of sand in areas. Sand mining is regulated by law in many places, but it is often done illegally. Sand mafias, illegal and often violent sand miners, are groups that illegally dredge sand from prohibited areas. Sand mining is the worlds largest mining endeavor, responsible for 85 percent of all mineral extraction, and it is also the least regulated and quite possibly the most corrupt and environmentally destructive.