China Now Uses 80% Artificial Sand. Here's Why It's A Bigger Deal Than It Sounds \ stacker news ~science

A 2024 study suggests China may have found a solution to the sand mining problem. The Chinese have been using artificial sand made by crushing rocks and leftover materials from mining for many of their construction projects. This simple technique has allowed them to drastically reduce their dependence on natural sand without slowing down their massive construction projects.

“China’s overall sand supply surged by approximately 400% over the study period, yet the proportion of natural sand dropped from ≈80% to ≈21% due to the increasing use of manufactured sand,” the study authors note.

“The percentage of manufactured sand in the Chinese market could now be close to 90 percent. The shift from natural sand to manufactured sand is a miracle for a country that has completed such massive infrastructure construction,” Song Shaomin, a professor at Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, told SCMP.

162 sats \ 0 replies \ @Akg10s3 10h

Personally, I think many of us should focus our learning on those from Asia! Why? Because their capacity for innovation is enormous, and when you think you can't make more profit or improve a device that's been around for 100 years! They achieve incredible things... I don't like their communism! But I definitely support their intelligence!