Firm agrees to in-depth study on frac sand in Winona County

Article by: Tony Kennedy , Star Tribune
Updated: February 21, 2013 - 11:24 PM

Minnesota Sands bows to state pressure, in a move that could set a precedent for growing industry.

10
Comments

Newest first
Oldest first

1 - 10 of 10

nemarollerFeb. 22, 1312:29 AM

This mining won't last forever.. So in the meantime, one could only hope the county of Winona is being compensated heavily for each pound of sand removed.

texas_technomanFeb. 22, 13 5:38 AM

How about when they are through stealing our sand, they leave behind something other than a hole in the ground....so we don't end up looking like a West Virginia mountain top?

sonic5150Feb. 22, 13 6:48 AM

How about they switch over to manufacturing rainbows. That's the economy of the future here in MN. Pots of gold and everything sugar and spice.

csjohn1Feb. 22, 13 6:49 AM

Hmmm "Fair and Balanced" where have I heard that before?

drposterFeb. 22, 13 7:35 AM

Oh No!! They're using our dirt to get evil oil!

mitchell24Feb. 22, 13 9:06 AM

Do people not realize that mining takes place every day here in Minnesota? Where do you think concrete, asphalt and road base comes from? The aggregate, which also contains silica, is mined each day. Why all the uproar now? How is it not regualated? Each mine is regulated by MSHA, which conducts employee silica exposure every 3 years. Second, the MPCA monitors it because each mine has a Storm Water Runoff Prevention Plan and they have an air emissions permit because of the emissions from the excavators and/or processing plant. There seems to be a lot of missing information from these Star Trib news stories.

marsbonfireFeb. 22, 13 9:15 AM

drposterFeb. 22, 13 7:35 AM Oh No!! They're using our dirt to get evil oil!___________---Oh No!! Another simplistic take on a major environmental problem.

thisislameFeb. 22, 1310:56 AM

The sand company is doing its own environmental study. How is this independent?

TNELSON2003Feb. 22, 1312:27 PM

Mitchell, catch up on some facts. Gravel mining & the sand used in concrete is much coarser than silica sand. Silica is in the 2.5-4.0 micron size & is a known carcinogen, can cause asthma & scilicosis. State does not test for that now & has no standards for material that size according to the Agency heads that testified on Tuesday. Local ordinances controlling gravel pits are not appropriate for silica mines. Chicago Tribune reported that frack drillers in Pennsylvania are coming down with scilicosis & the Star Trib reported that cows pasturing near mines in WI are coming down with respiratory ailments. All the mine spills in WI have been reported by locals, none by the mining companies. So much for storm water permits...