Moving sand: Sand connections and the role of (truck) transport in sand commodity chains in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Tanzania

Abstract

Foregrounding the importance of sand connections to understand sand geographies, this study investigates the overlooked role of transport in sand commodity chains across the Global South, focusing on Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Through qualitative fieldwork (including more than 150 interviews), it reveals how transport dynamics profoundly shape sand economies by influencing pricing, accessibility, and extraction site selection. It counters common assumptions about the short-haul nature of sand. Truck drivers emerge as pivotal actors who directly link extraction sites to urban markets. The study underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the impact of transport on sand extraction and distribution. Transport costs emerge as a critical determinant of sand prices, with fuel expenses playing a significant role. Moreover, truck drivers have substantial agency in decision-making as they source sand based on factors such as quality and price. Regulatory practices, including permits and police encounters, present challenges, with bribery and informal arrangements prevalent. This study underscores the multifaceted nature of sand transport, influenced by geographical, regulatory, and economic factors, and the ways in which sand connections are based on the interaction between social relations, infrastructures, and the materiality of sand. It shows that transport can and should play a key role in policy debates on sand governance.