Sand frac mining has become a popular topic in Wisconsin. Although the southern and eastern parts of the state are so far untouched by the mines, mines in the northern and western regions of Wisconsin have bloomed greatly in the past few years. The demand for drilling the sand has increased as frac sand is a desirable method in extracting natural gas around the country.
What is sand frac mining?
Sand frac mining or sand fracturing is the process of removing sand from underground to extract quartz. The quartz if the quartz is of high enough quality and the correct size it will exported to other regions of the United States for natural gas extraction. Current mining operations are primarily located in West Central Wisconsin but there are also facilities in Burnett, Green Lake and Waupaca Counties (WDNR). Regions of Wisconsin and Minnesota pose the easiest access to the specified sand because of the geologic history (Hart, Adams, & Schwartz: 2013).
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| Figure 1. Frac Sand in Wisconsin. Map provided from UW-Extension Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey |
What are some issues regarding sand frac-mining?
Sand frac mining has multiple environmental aspects that are necessary to address before the process even begins. These environmental concerns are part of the reason sand frac mining is such a buzz topic in the Wisconsin backyard. For example, sand frac mining can affect the air quality, water quality, and habitat for many species.
GIS technology and applications used to explore sand-frac mining
The application of GIS technology can greatly help in the planning, implementation, maintenance, and aftermath of a sand frac mine. First of all, there are certain locations where the sand is good enough to extract, GIS would allow the analysis of nearby geology and give insight to where the best place to build a mine would be. GIS technology would provide detailed maps to exactly where the extend of mine would be and this is important because the of ownership of the land. When we take into account the environmental concerns due to frac mining GIS can help create buffers to protect the water table and surrounding habitats.
Sources
Hart, M. V, Adams T. & Schwartz A. 2013. Transportation Impacts of Frac Sand Mining in the MAFC Region: Chippewa County Case Study. University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2012. Silica Sand Mining in Wisconsin.
