Vanishing Sands: Losing Beaches to Mining

Coastal geologist Pilkey and his son Keith (Sea Level Rise), some geologist colleagues, and sustainable development/climate justice researcher Hannah L. Hayes have penned a detailed look at beach and river sand mining. Sand is used in making concrete, mined for minerals, for beach nourishment (adding sand to beaches), and land expansion. Much of this sand mining is illegal and leads to a loss for local economies, a decrease in natural storm protection, habitat destruction, government corruption, and a loss of local livelihoods, such as fishing. Sand exports are so valuable that “sand mafias” have beaten or killed environmental activists, journalists, and police officers trying to enforce local laws. The authors describe sand and its properties and explain how it is mined. They also give dozens of examples in countries around the world of how it is removed and sold by nearly everyone, from individuals to large corporations, while governments turn a blind eye. Appendixes of “Sand Mining Violent Events” and a “Sand Rights” document conclude the book.