Illegal sand extraction in Brazil escalated to an estimated US$5 (RS$20) billion in 2021 due to increased demand from the civil construction sector.
Researcher Luiz Fernando Ramadan, in a review of a 2015 survey, suggested that sand mining could be 60% illegal.
Ramadan, a federal police officer, calculated this illegality by comparing it to annual Portland cement production. The resultant tax losses are estimated to be R$370 million.
Illegal sand extraction often occurs through unregistered initiatives or when licensed companies overstep their boundaries.
Organized crime is growing in this industry, often involving illegal condominium construction in environmentally protected areas.
In March, an operation led to the seizure of equipment used in illegal sand extraction.
Rates of illegality reach 58% nationally, with the Southeast and Northeast regions being major hotspots.
The fallout from these illegal activities includes threats, reckless exploitation, and pressure on local communities.
Aside from the human cost, environmental issues arise due to careless extraction leading to erosion and potential water source contamination.
Although laws and regulatory bodies are in place, enforcement has been decreasing since 2015.
The Federal Police, at the time of reporting, has not responded to requests for comments.
With information from Agencia Brasil
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