More Frac Sand Mining News

• Slowing demand for frac sand changes the landscape in southeast Minnesota

  Sand is the crucial ingredient in the oil and natural gas extraction process known as fracking, and there are large deposits of it in the steep bluffs along the Mississippi River. But demand for sand has dropped.
• Wisconsin school district boosts frac sand air filters

  West-central Wisconsin is a hot spot for sand mining and residents have expressed environmental and health concerns about the tiny sand particles generated by mining.
• Mahtomedi frac sand mining forum draws hundreds over concerns

  There was consensus that Wisconsin's experience, where many mines have clashed with local communities and in some cases have violated environmental laws, should not be repeated.
• Frac sand draft rules go back to the drawing board

  Environmental activists complained that the draft standards were looser than some existing local rules. In the end, the board promised to re-write the document with a lot more public and industry input.
• Guideline or law? Confusion over frac sand mining standards

  State officials want public input on frac sand mining guidelines now in their final stages. But opponents of the practice have not given up hope for an outright ban.
• Sand mine gets approval in Mankato

  The Planning Commission has approved a conditional use permit for Jordan Sands, an affiliate of Coughlan Companies, which is planning to mine 70 acres and use another 40 acres just north of the city for processing the sand.
• State regulators writing new frac sand rules

  The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and other state agencies are beginning to write new rules for frac sand mining as part of a plan ordered by the Legislature.
• Goodhue Co. extends frac sand moratorium

  Goodhue County commissioners voted today to extend the county's moratorium on frac sand mining by 180 days when the current ban expires next month.
• Winona Co. frac sand permit challenged

  A group of Winona County residents is challenging the county board's decision to approve a frac sand mine.
• Frac sand transload company sues Wabasha

  The owners of a facility used to load frac sand into rail cars are suing the city of Wabasha.
• Limited frac sand mining approved in Goodhue County

  After almost two years of debate, the Goodhue County Board of Commissioners approved two ordinances that will regulate the silica sand mining industry.
• Enviro budget bill requires DNR approval for frac sand mining

  Companies looking to mine frac sand in Minnesota would need to get approval from the Department of Natural Resources. The requirement was part of an environment budget bill passed by the Legislature on Saturday night.
• Officials should investigate costs, benefits of frac mining, report says

  Local officials should ask in-depth questions about costs and benefits when they consider whether to permit a frac sand mine, according to a report.
• DFL lawmaker: Compromise reached on frac sand regulations

  The lawmaker who has pushed this year for tougher state regulation of the frac sand mining industry on Tuesday said DFL legislative leaders have reached a compromise on the legislation.