Sand mining is the process of extracting sand from the ground, usually from rivers, beaches, or sand dunes. According to the United Nations, sand is one of the world’s most heavily extracted natural resources after water, reflected in its use around the world as a construction material, in landfills and in glass manufacturing. Contrary to popular belief, sand is not an inherently renewable resource. Even though it can be replenished naturally, replenishment is much slower than the extraction rate. The United Nations estimates that demand for sand is estimated at 40 billion to 50 billion tons each year.
Sand mining has become particularly important in South Africa due to the country’s infrastructure demands and ongoing development projects, with recent market analysis showing that rapid urbanization and infrastructure expansion are the main drivers of South Africa’s high demand for sand and gravel.
Due to South Africa’s long coastline and extensive river systems, sand is widely available, especially in riverbeds and streams. Ease of access makes river sand particularly attractive to small-scale or artisanal miners, as it is generally easier and more cost-effective to mine than other mineral resources such as quarry or other hard rock materials.
South Africa’s sand industry is comprised of both commercial operators and a large number of small-scale, artisanal and illegal miners. Formal operators extract more overall, but their activities tend to be regulated and usually take place outside active river channels. In contrast, artisanal and illegal miners often mine directly from rivers, especially in rural areas where monitoring capacity is limited.
Excessive and illegal sand mining can cause riverbed degradation, riverbank instability, worsened river flow, accelerated riverbank erosion, and increased riverbank instability. The destruction of natural water flows further undermines water security in a country already characterized by low rainfall and increasing water demand. The issue of illegal sand mining was highlighted by Parliament’s Minerals and Petroleum Resources Portfolio Committee earlier this year. This has raised concerns about escalating illegal extraction of natural sand in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
There is also a need to resolve the current situation with the knowledge that sand mining can provide immediate income for many rural households in a constrained economy with few opportunities. Sand is easily available, requires minimal capital expenditure, and for many people it is their only means of survival. That said, while communities will gain access to a little cash, the long-term effects on water security could mean the loss of arable farmland, common land, and access to clean water, thereby weakening the long-term resilience of communities that depend on these rivers.
South Africa’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Policy has been published in 2022. This means that artisanal mining is subject to a legal framework with its own permits, defined areas and oversight. Nevertheless, enforcement gaps still mean infrastructure companies have to deal with their own exposure to risks associated with sand mining in South Africa.
Despite measures being taken to control illegal or small-scale sand mining, the risk of construction companies and developers using unsustainable sources or illegally sourced sand remains real. Clients must audit their sand supply chain to ensure they are not indirectly purchasing sand that has been illegally removed from rivers. Supplier licenses and environmental compliance should also be verified, and long-term water and infrastructure risks in projects related to degraded river environments should also be assessed.
Clients should further engage with affected communities to support sustainable and compliant mining practices to reduce conflict and improve resilience, as well as monitor policy developments and anticipate stricter enforcement as Congressional oversight continues.
Co-authored by Itumeleng Nkosi and Margo-Ann Werner of Pinsent Masons.
