Solutions from technology...
According to analyses of global environmental crimes by Nesta (UK) and transnational crime monitoring agencies, the global illegal sand mining market is expected to generate approximately $200-350 billion annually by 2026. This scale makes illegal sand mining the third largest transnational crime in the world , after counterfeiting and drug trafficking. To address this crisis, UNEP emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach, combining real-time technological monitoring with improved legal frameworks and market regulation.
The first measure is to digitize the supply chain using GPS technology and digital codes, aiming to extend control from the point of extraction to the entire transportation process. For example, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, authorities require trucks and barges carrying minerals to install GPS devices to track their journeys in real time. In addition, each cubic meter of sand leaving the mine is issued an electronic certificate of origin (called a digital birth certificate). The central management system updates the route, travel time, and quantity of goods. If a vehicle arrives at the site without a valid code or deviates from its registered route, the system automatically alerts and stops it. This method helps to limit the manipulation of documents and the legitimization of smuggled sand.
Besides GPS systems, thermal imaging drones and LiDAR technology are also used to monitor rugged areas. Because illegal sand mining often takes place at night in deserted sections of rivers to avoid inspection, drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras can detect heat from the engines of dredging vessels in the dark and transmit images directly to the command center. This measure is being effectively applied in the state of Maharashtra in India, with the creation of highly accurate 3D digital maps of the riverbed topography. By comparing depth and riverbed morphology data across different time periods, authorities can accurately calculate the actual amount of sand lost, compare it with the declared data of licensed businesses, and detect sand extraction exceeding reserves.
...leading to a change in management mindset.
In reality, even the most advanced technology is only a necessary condition. To definitively resolve the problem of illegal sand mining, a strict legal system is indispensable, combined with fundamental market interventions to reshape the consumption habits of the construction industry.
Accordingly, UNEP recommends that governments fundamentally change their governance mindset, viewing sand as a strategic resource rather than merely a common construction material. This means that all sand mining plans must be based on a long-term vision, assessing impacts on the entire river basin instead of just evaluating the local environmental impact at a specific mine. The authority to grant sand mining licenses should be transferred from the local level to the central government or inter-provincial river basin committees, in order to end fragmentation and localized management. This is a core solution to eliminate vested interests.
A report from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) meeting in Laos in February 2026 outlined several specific directions, such as researching policy gaps, promoting national dialogue, and sharing management experiences among countries in the region. A more sustainable solution involves intervening in the market, promoting the transition to alternative materials, and fostering a circular economy in the construction sector.
One notable approach is India's M-Sand artificial sand, produced by crushing hard rock into standardized-sized particles, which reduces the silt and sediment often found in river sand. Singapore is also experimenting with the NEWSand project, using bottom ash from incinerators as a backfill material for projects such as Long Island.
A comprehensive resource management strategy cannot be achieved without the role of local people. According to the online academic journal BIO Web of Conferences, educational and communication programs should be held regularly to raise community awareness. By establishing hotlines or convenient mobile applications, people can report violations and create a tight control network over illegal sand mining.
On an international scale, UNEP has introduced the Marine Sand Watch platform, which uses data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) of vessels combined with artificial intelligence to track the number of dredging vessels globally. The system can analyze the movement behavior of vessels, thereby identifying sand dredging activities on the seabed. This tool supports developing countries in strengthening resource management under conditions of limited financial and technical resources to build their own domestic monitoring systems.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/chan-nan-khai-thac-cat-lau-tu-goc-post853126.html
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