The Governance of Global Sand Mining

dc.contributor.authorMark, Melissa Elizabeth
dc.date.accessioned2021-05-04T18:59:26Z
dc.date.available2021-05-04T18:59:26Z
dc.date.issued2021-05-04
dc.date.submitted2021-04-21
dc.description.abstractSand mining is a global ecological and social sustainability challenge. Greater attention to the governance of sand mining is urgently required to address these challenges. Based on a Delphi survey of global experts, this thesis investigates the ecological and social benefits and costs of sand mining, assesses governance opportunities and challenges, and examines the potential knowledge gaps and solutions for sand governance. The Delphi survey was conducted over two rounds. 12 individuals participated in the first round while 11 individuals participated in the second round. Major findings show no ecological benefits to sand mining and several impacts, including accelerated erosion and threats to wildlife. The social impacts include compromises to resource-dependent livelihoods, infrastructure collapse, health and safety risks, illegal mining networks, and corruption. The social benefits, which include infrastructure development and employment opportunities, do not offset these risks. The lack of awareness of both sand mining and its associated costs, coupled with poor enforcement and monitoring of policy, are identified as significant governance gaps and should be addressed to improve the sustainability of sand mining. Future research should prioritize studies to understand the large-scale and long-term impacts of sand mining and to investigate illegal mining activities and corruption. Finally, the establishment of a global governance framework, including standardized certification, should be established and directed by a mediating organization to work toward the collective interests of all stakeholders. This thesis contributes to the existing knowledge of sand mining while also increasing awareness. Additionally, identifying the governance gaps may help to improve the implementation of a global governance framework. Ultimately, this research advocates for increased awareness of the ecological and social challenges and dimensions of sand mining through increased education and research, as well as an improved global governance framework to develop sustainability of the industry.en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10012/16946
dc.language.isoenen
dc.pendingfalse
dc.publisherUniversity of Waterlooen
dc.subjectgovernanceen
dc.subjectsanden
dc.subjectresourcesen
dc.subjectglobalen
dc.subjectsand miningen
dc.subjectextractionen
dc.subjectsocioecologicalen
dc.subjectsustainabilityen
dc.subjectdelphien
dc.subjectpolicyen
dc.subjectilliciten
dc.subjectillegalen
dc.subjectaggregateen
dc.titleThe Governance of Global Sand Miningen
dc.typeMaster Thesisen
uws-etd.degreeMaster of Environmental Studiesen
uws-etd.degree.departmentSchool of Environment, Resources and Sustainabilityen
uws-etd.degree.disciplineEnvironment, Resources and Sustainability Studies (Water)en
uws-etd.degree.grantorUniversity of Waterlooen
uws-etd.embargo.terms0en
uws.contributor.advisorArmitage, Derek
uws.contributor.advisorArmitage, Derek
uws.contributor.affiliation1Faculty of Environmenten
uws.peerReviewStatusUnrevieweden
uws.published.cityWaterlooen
uws.published.countryCanadaen
uws.published.provinceOntarioen
uws.scholarLevelGraduateen
uws.typeOfResourceTexten

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