The world’s largest and perhaps most destructive mining industry is rarely discussed. Approximately 85 percent of all material mined from the earth is a simple and widely available resource: sand.

Reports of unauthorized seabed dredging have surged following Indonesia’s decision to resume sea sand exports in 2023, raising environmental concerns and exposing weak marine law enforcement.

Sutherland Shire Council is looking into using sand from two offshore deposits to help replenish Cronulla and North Cronulla beaches. A group of locals say Cronulla may turn into a rocky shoreline and ...