While the entire world is focused on searching for oil reserves and clean water sources, we have forgotten about another important resource that is on the verge of depletion. What is it?
Sand covers a vast area of the Earth’s surface. It is a resource whose demand ranks second only to water. Sand is extracted more than oil. It is used in construction, glass production, land reclamation, semiconductor manufacturing, and more.
Although we believe that the amount of sand on Earth is abundant, scientists have warned that this resource is at risk of depletion. What is happening?
Sand is extracted more than oil. (Image: Baidu)
Global Sand Crisis
One of the major reasons is due to “demand exceeding supply.” Although sand is a renewable resource, the annual “loss” is still too significant.
According to a survey by Freedonia, in 2016, the total amount of sand extracted for global construction was 13.7 billion tons, with 70% consumed in Asia, where China alone accounted for nearly 5 billion tons. Almost two-thirds of the world’s cement production is consumed in China and India due to rapid urbanization in these countries.
Statistics from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicate that the amount of sand used globally each year has surpassed 40 billion tons, marking a 200% increase compared to usage two decades ago. Therefore, even though sand can regenerate naturally, it cannot keep pace with human consumption.
The demand for sand in countries is far greater than the supply. (Image: Baidu)
Commenting on this warning, Pascal Peduzzi, Director of the Global Resource Information Database at UNEP, stated: “We used to think that sand was everywhere. And we never imagined that the world would run out of sand, but in some places, this has happened.”
Singapore and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the largest importers of sand in the world. Over the past four decades, Singapore has expanded its area by 130 km² thanks to using sand for land reclamation. The UAE has consumed up to 185 million m³ of sand to build artificial islands for tourism.
Consequences of Reckless Extraction
According to UNEP, the exportation of sand to Singapore has caused 24 sandy islands in Indonesia to disappear. Consequently, Indonesia banned sand exports to Singapore, while Cambodia and Malaysia have prohibited sea sand exports. The UAE now has to import sand from Australia as their own supplies have been depleted.
Despite this, the demand for sand in countries worldwide continues to rise with no signs of abating. As a result, illegal sand trading has emerged, leaving severe consequences for many nations. In India, illegal sand mining has become a plague. Numerous murders and assaults have occurred over disputes over mining rights.
Today, sand smuggling has become a serious global issue. (Image: Baidu)
Spanish social activist Alex Gonzalez Davidson revealed that the sand industry trades about 70 billion USD annually, with at least 15 billion USD stemming from illegal mining.
In Morocco, half of the sand used in the country comes from illegal extraction from the coastline. Erosion has occurred, impacting the nation’s tourism sector.
Not only Morocco, but sand extraction is also causing significant damage to coral reefs in Kenya. This practice has pushed crocodile species in India toward extinction. Similarly, the ecosystem of the Mekong River is in alarming condition, with the riverbed in the lower Mekong area having dropped several meters in just a few years.
Additionally, scientists emphasize that excessive sand extraction will destroy ecosystems, leading to more frequent natural disasters. The disappearance of beaches has resulted in a lack of barriers to prevent floods. The tsunami that struck Sri Lanka in 2004, which devastated everything, serves as evidence of the excessive sand extraction in this island nation.
The price of sand has increased sixfold over the past 25 years. (Image: Baidu)
Moreover, the scarcity of sand has caused its prices to rise rapidly. The trading price of sand has increased nearly sixfold over the past 25 years. Data from the Centennial Construction Network indicates that the price of sand in China is currently at a “sky-high” level. As of June 30, 2022, the average price of sand in the country was about 138 RMB/m³ (equivalent to over 450,000 VND/m³).
Globally, many countries have increased the prices of products that use sand as a raw material due to its scarcity. Since June 2022, two silicon wafer manufacturers, ShinEtsu and SUMCO, have announced price hikes due to rising sand costs.
Given the risk of sand depletion and rising prices for this resource, what proposals have experts put forward to address this issue?
The Need for Comprehensive Planning
In fact, scientists have developed artificial sand as a substitute for natural sand. Crushed stone and gravel sand are free from impurities and dust, so there is no need for screening before being used in concrete. They have uniform sizes and high compressive strength, making them very suitable for concrete production. However, the cost of artificial sand is still relatively high.
Scientists have proposed using artificial sand to replace natural sand. (Image: Baidu)
Additionally, many countries have started using recycled ash from burnt solid waste as a substitute for sand. For instance, Zurich, a city in Switzerland, is constructing buildings with 98% recycled concrete.
Another idea currently being implemented in India is using plastic waste to produce concrete. Moreover, other materials like wood are also being researched for use.
Alongside these solutions, the United Nations Environment Programme has recommended that governments collaborate to establish a set of common rules for managing natural sand extraction. If these rules are implemented and countries adhere strictly to them, the sand resource will surely not face depletion, and the illegal sand trade will cease to continue.
