Sand is a naturally occurring material composed of rock and mineral particles that is found in rivers, beaches, and inland dunes. It is one of the most abundant resources on Earth. Sand is a vital mineral for society due to its many uses in construction materials like concrete and glass as well as industrial applications. However, illegal and unregulated sand mining has negatively impacted rivers and coastal environments by depleting water resources. The mining process involves digging up sand from riverbeds, shorelines, and dredging ocean floors. Proper governance and regulation of the sand mining industry is needed to curb environmental degradation and protect resources for communities.