Frac sand mining is, as the name suggests, the mining of frac sand which is used in a number of applications including hydraulic fracturing by the petroleum industry to extract natural gas and oil. In order "to meet industry specifications, frac sand needs to be nearly pure quartz, very well rounded, and must meet tight size gradation standards" (Silica Sand Mining in Wisconsin 3). Unlike this quality of sand, "sand from younger glacial deposits as well as most beach and riverbank sand is too impure and angular to be used as frac sand" (Mining: Frac Sand).
Why Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has an abundant supply of frac sand that has been mined for over forty years. In fact, Wisconsin is the largest producer of frac sand throughout the entire nation. Much of this sand is found in central and western Wisconsin and is the product of the Ordovician and Cambrian age geologic formations. The demand for frac sand has increased exponentially in recent years, and consequently, the number of constructed and proposed frac sand mine sites in Wisconsin have increased as well (see Figure 1). For Wisconsin, "many industry experts believe that the state is nearing the peak of new mine development..." (Prengaman 2012).
A number of health, environmental, and general public impacts and concerns exist with sand mining in Wisconsin. Included among these are concerns over too much water being used, the noise that is generated disrupts residents and wildlife, that mining endangers air quality, safety due to an increased volume of heavy trucks and wear and tear on roads, tourism being threatened, and busier rail crossings. A by-product of frac sand mining is silica dust which is a known human carcinogen and causes silicosis, a serious and incurable lung disease. While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has limits on the amount of silica dust that can be released into the air, it does not completely eliminate it. The removal of forest and other vegetation cover prior to mining could result in the loss of habitat, and the noise and night time light levels could push wildlife away from surrounding areas. Also, property values can decrease if frac sand mine sites are within close proximity.
Applying the Power of GIS
By utilizing GIS in subsequent labs to begin to analyze sand mining in Wisconsin, we will look at where mine sites are located, their areas of impact, and build a suitability and risk model among other tasks.
Sources:
"Silica
Sand Mining in Wisconsin." WDNR. 2012. Accessed February 26, 2016.
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/mines/documents/silicasandminingfinal.pdf.
Prengaman,
Kate. "Future of Frac Sand Unclear." WisconsinWatch.org. August 19,
2012. Accessed February 26, 2016.
http://wisconsinwatch.org/2012/08/future-of-frac-sand-unclear/.
