South Africa Dune Mining Whips Up Sandstorm

For centuries, the massive sand dunes overlooking the warm waters off the South African east coast have created a majestic scenery, acting as a natural wall between the sea and the land environment. In recent years, mining companies have been eager to dig inside these dunes to extract the valuable minerals they contain.
Years Of Illegal Sand Mining Take Its Toll On Tuticorin Coast, South Eastern India

People from Viapar, a coastal village in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin district, say they have never seen sea waves reach so close to their homes. Several neighbouring villages echo the same story as years of illegal mining have led to heavy beach erosion across the region.
A Sandstorm is Coming: Courtesy Sand Mafia And Sand Mining

Rampant sand mining will have dire ecological consequences, warn environmentalists.
Sand Mining Issue: “Impact Cannot Even Be Calculated”

From forcing the river to change its course, to affecting the groundwater tables and adversely impacting the habitat of micro-organisms, the ramifications of illegal sand mining are many.
Why Illegal Sand Mining Is Profitable In UP, India

The seemingly unceasing mining operation on the Yamuna and Hindon riverbeds in western Uttar Pradesh is encouraged by the increasing demand for sand for construction by realtors.
Beach Sand Mining, Saidia, Morocco

The sand dunes along this 14km beach have been eradicated to provide sand for construction along the coast.
Sand Mafia Still Unabated, Algeria

Illegal beach sand mining is reaching alarming levels along the 10 kilometers shoreline from the East of Jijel city to Oued Djendjen area, on the northeastern coast, Algeria.
Illegal Sand Mining is New Gold Rush in India

At a time when the planet’s reserve of sand from its beaches is threatened by smuggling and illegal mining, environmentalists are asking India, as the present international custodian of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD), to take a lead in the control of sand mining.
Grenada Authorized Sand Mining at 2 Beaches to Small Projects

While Grenada banned sand mining in 2009, an amendment to the law allows the environment minister to make certain exceptions, and now the government has declared two beaches open to sand mining.