Sand Mining in Western Wisconsin

Silica sand mining has been a long held practice within western Wisconsin for over 100 years. However, recent technological developments in horizontal hydro-fracking has increased the demand for the sand found in that area. As a result, silica sand mining has found its way into popular discussion among many of Wisconsin's stakeholders.

Hydro-fracking is the process of injecting sand, that is suspended in fluids, deep into fissures within the underlying bedrock. The sand then creates and props open more, larger fractures within the rock. This, then allows for natural gases and oils to be extracted. Yet for this process to work, the sand in question needs to be pure quartz, which is renowned for its hard, well rounded uniform size and shape. This is where Wisconsin then comes into play. Wisconsin's central and western regions have many sandstone formations which are high in silica (quartz) and located near or exposed on the surface. As previously indicated, this makes mining within  Wisconsin's central and western regions optimal, and thus an increase of mines in the area has occurred.

However, as is with any mining process, sand mining comes with its downfalls. Wisconsin sand mining falls under local nonmetallic mining regulations, which are based in air and water quality along with plans for reclamation. Yet there is another issue that has recently taken president for many effected counties. Sand mines operate 24 hours a day, five days a week hauling an estimated 40 million tons of sand out of the state each year (Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 2012). The large trucks that are required to move the sand weigh upwards to 30,000 lbs (15 tons) and when filled to capacity, near 80,000 lbs (40 tons). This weight matched with the frequency of use then, naturally, has a drastic effect on roads, especially rural ones. 

Here is where GIS mapping and analyzing can be used to better inform the stakeholders (aka local communities and governments, legislators, and regulators). Information can be gathered on many different factors such as: mine locations, road type, and geologic indicators, to create maps that could better assess areas impacted. These maps can then be used to inform stakeholders involved to a better degree of the precautions and measures that should to be taken.


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 "Frac Sand Sources in the United States." Frac Sand Sources in the United States. Mining Media, International, 19 May 2015. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

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 "Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources." Industrial Sand Mining. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 6 July 2015. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.

Wisconsin Geological And Natural History Survey. Frac Sand in Wisconsin (Factsheet 05) (n.d.): n. pag. Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, 2012. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.