Mining is a messy business

Industrialisation has made sand the most mined material on the planet, and its plunder is messy business. The challenge is to manage the industry in a way that discourages miners from becoming criminals. State governments have different rules for awarding, regulating and administering sand mining. Many are not invested in the idea of acting tough despite regular interventions by the courts and the National Green Tribunal.

A national framework has been developed that offers assistance to states to work out better administrative and financial solutions, but the root of the problem remains sand mining’s political appendage. Sustainable, scientific sand mining that offers reasonable profits to those in the business but is intolerant of illegalities appears a difficult proposition. The AAP government in Punjab has promised to deliver; how it goes about doing so will be keenly watched.

Issues of illegal mining, environmental damage, high sand prices and quality of sand are interlinked. WSO calls for enhanced scrutiny, new operational rules, ban in over-exploited areas and alternative sources of extraction – provided there is political will.