A study published in Reviews of Geophysics documents a significant increase in global sand and gravel extraction driven by rising concrete demand. Researchers analyzed extraction data spanning from 1974 to the present and found that demand for these materials has more than doubled since 2000, with construction and infrastructure projects consuming approximately 28 billion tonnes in 2024 alone.
The extraction surge is concentrated in Asia, which accounts for more than 80% of current demand. Urban development and road-building projects in China and India are primary drivers of consumption in the region. Material extraction is occurring predominantly from rivers across Asia and Africa, with available data indicating that extraction rates frequently exceed the natural rate of sediment replenishment by several times in many locations.
The overextraction of sand and gravel from riverbeds carries environmental consequences including riverbank destabilization, declining groundwater levels, saltwater intrusion into coastal areas, and deteriorating water quality. Researchers propose several mitigation strategies, including the use of satellite imaging and river mapping technologies to improve mining management and reduce environmental impacts. They also suggest reducing demand through more efficient material use and development of alternative materials, such as processed construction waste, recycled glass, and treated ash from waste incineration facilities.
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