Future of the Environment

Sand mining: the environmental challenge you’ve probably never heard of

sand mining

Sand mining: estimates suggest that between 32 and 50 billion tonnes of sand and gravel are extracted from the Earth each year. Image: REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares

Kate Whiting
Senior Writer, Forum Agenda
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sand mining impact
The environmental impacts of sand mining. Image: UNEP

Key features and processes considered in a coastal impact study for aggregate dredging.
Coastal features that could be affected by sand and gravel mining. Image: UNEP

10 Recommendations for Averting a Sand Crisis
How the UNEP says we can avoid a sand crisis. Image: UNEP
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Related topics:
Future of the EnvironmentClimate Change
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