Drivers of changes and transition pathways of sand resource extraction in tabasco, Mexico

Abstract

Sand, gravel, and crushed rock (sand resources) are the most extracted solid materials globally, with demand projected to double by 2060. To understand the drivers of this changing demand and building on the concept of transitions in sand production, we studied the transition pathways—namely, intensification, separation, and substitution of sand resources in Tabasco, Mexico. We drew on regional official records, semi-structured interviews and field observations on two sand resources production hotspots: Cunduacán (river sand) and Macuspana (crushed rock). Our results reveal that sand extraction in Tabasco increased from annual average volumes of 3 Mt (2006–2010) to 61 Mt (2016–2020). We identified urban expansion and flood control efforts as the main drivers of change in the region, with more recent changes driven by large-scale infrastructure development projects. Cunduacán and Macuspana accounted for 78 % of authorized extraction, driven by technological and machinery-related changes that enabled production intensification and diversification. Given the strategic location and infrastructure connectivity of these hotspots, they have become key sources of supply for local demand but also for peripheral municipalities with high material needs and limited productive capacity. Although extraction volumes from quarries began to exceed those from rivers in 2015, interviews and fieldwork revealed no evidence of substitution that would indicate a transition from river mining to crushed rock production. Studying transition pathways is a crucial first step towards understanding the implications of increased sand resources consumption and can support regional development with broader environmental and social sustainability goals.