When thinking about the largest illegal trades in the world, you may immediately think of drugs or counterfeit designer clothing. However, there is another trade that ranks alongside these in terms of illegal revenue: illegal sand mining. With an estimated annual income of $300 billion, it is the third-largest illegal trade globally. You might wonder why this is the case, and the answer is surprisingly simple: concrete.
The demand for sand
On average, there are 80 tonnes of concrete per person on the planet. From the buildings you live in to the roads you drive on, concrete is the fundamental building block of the modern world. Every country needs it, whether it is a developing nation or one at the peak of technological advancement. Sand, and by extension concrete, is a vital part of modern civilization.
Why sand becomes illegal
The answer lies in the fact that not all sand is useful for construction. The sand in the African deserts, for example, is too fine and weak for making strong concrete. The sand needed for this purpose is called silica sand, typically with 40%-70% purity. This type of sand, also known as sharp sand, is predominantly sourced from rivers. It is highly valuable because it creates an incredibly strong bond with cement during mixing, a chemical reaction known as hydration. As a result, this sand is often protected by governments, leading to the rise of sand mafias in regions such as India and the African coasts.
The rise of sand mafias
Sand mafias are notorious for their brutality. They are known to bribe officials, use terror tactics to gain access to sand, and even murder rivals or anyone who stands in their way. The power of these mafias is so strong that journalists investigating them have been attacked, tortured, and even killed. This highlights the extreme lengths to which individuals are willing to go to protect their illegal trade.
Illegal sand mining in South Asia
Illegal sand mining is a global issue. Yet in regions like Bangladesh and India, for example, sand mining operations have various stakeholders. For sand mining to be legal, the government designates specific areas along rivers for extraction. However, these designated areas are frequently expanded illegally, with little resistance from local authorities.
To make matters worse, sand needs a market to be profitable. In places like the Bangladeshi sand markets, it is estimated that over 60% of the sand traded is illegal. To cover up the illegal activities, the sand mafias often control all aspects of the operation, including local police and officials. You may think that the government is not doing enough to stop this problem, and to some extent, you would be correct. The illegal sand trade has many benefits for countries, such as cheaper construction costs, which can spur greater urban expansion and economic growth.
Regulatory challenges
Although governments do attempt to tackle the issue, it is incredibly difficult. For example, once illegal sand is mixed with legal sand, it becomes nearly impossible to distinguish between the two. Additionally, because sand is not a weapon or drug—items typically associated with illegal activities—there is very little scrutiny during transport. Moreover, construction companies that benefit from cheaper sand are often complicit, providing little support to eradicate the problem.
On India
In India, states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh are the hardest hit by sand mafias. Convoys of hundreds of trucks, filled with sand, make their way to buyers or markets in places like Bangladesh. The mining operations involve a mix of labourers and boat operators, many of whom work illegally for meagre wages. Anonymous officials have admitted that the situation is out of control, with one stating, "The sand trade is out of hand," and another adding, "There is nothing we can do to stop them… they have so much power and influence." This reflects the helplessness felt by many who are trying to combat illegal sand mining in India.
Effect on local communities
despite the financial lure of the illegal sand trade, local communities in Bangladesh do not benefit much from it. One of the few known figures linked to the sand trade is an Israeli man who built his criminal empire by stealing sand from Moroccan beaches. In Bangladesh, the situation is similar, with locals working for very low wages while the bosses reap the rewards. The mafias also hire locals to do their bidding, further exploiting cheap and desperate labour.
Brutality of the trade
The violence surrounding this trade can be extreme. On the night of December 20, two Kenyan truck drivers met a blazing death. The men were loading their vehicles at around 2 a.m. on the bank of the Muooni River, about 60 miles southeast of Nairobi, when a mob of local youths attacked them. The attackers set the trucks on fire, burning the drivers "beyond recognition," according to local police. A third driver was shot with arrows. This tragic incident illustrates the brutal lengths to which these gangs will go to control such a vital resource. It also highlights the exploitation of cheap, desperate labour by locals who are trying to survive.
In addition to the social issues, there are significant environmental impacts associated with illegal sand mining. This practice leads to the destabilization of ecosystems and the loss of land in local areas, tackling the issue requires far stricter enforcement and creating more public awareness