Sand mining is close to being an environmental crisis. Here's why – and what can be done about it

Sep 21, 2023

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

Madeleine North

Writer, Forum Agenda

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The environmental impacts of sand mining. Image: UNEP

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Coastal features that could be affected by sand and gravel mining. Image: UNEP

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How the UNEP says we can avoid a sand crisis. Image: UNEP

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