A sandy patch can be a nice way to decorate your planet surface. As of server 3.0400 generates a small amount of ore (whatever kind a mine on the planet produces), can be upgraded to increase this resource production.  You are allowed 9 of these buildings per planet.

You'll get a free plan for this when your sixth friend accepts their invitation to the game using the in-game invitation system.

Playing Tip: Unlike most other glyph buildings this building is upgradeable using regular resources.

You can build this in the Archaeology Ministry by using a single Bauxite glyph.