Foundry media having a low surface porosity and methods for producing the media are disclosed. One method includes minimizing a moisture content of the media prior to sintering the media, which minimized moisture content minimized the surface porosity of the sintered media. The media can be coated with resin, and a mold made therefrom. The media requires less resin than conventional media because of the low porosity, and stronger molds can be made from the media.