That contributes to the erosion of beaches that is occurring at a number of locations round the island. The University of Mauritius estimated in 1991 that the rate of replenishment was of the order of 1.2 to 1.5 tonnes per year. Australian consultants put it at 110 to 120 tonnes per year. In either case, sand is a non renewable resource in vies of the massive quantities extracted yearly. As said earlier on, the sand extracted is mainly used for construction purposes.
Local alternatives exist in the form of rock sand produced by stone crushing plants.
Live coral quarrying has been banned in 1991 for the obvious damage it inflicted on the ecosystem.