Overview
The DNR is committed to work with citizens to conserve and manage the state’s natural resources. Over the past several years, there has been concern about the human health and environmental impacts of silica sand mining, processing, and transportation in Minnesota. The demand for silica sand is being driven by an increased production of domestic oil and gas. To address these concerns, the 2013 Minnesota Legislature passed and Governor Mark Dayton signed into legislation several laws related to silica sand mining and associated activities. Listed here are the projects that the DNR is a participating agency in or lead agency.
Silca sand laws
Map of Active Silica Sand Mines
Click on map image for a full size PDF
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DNR News
08/08/2013: Trout stream setback permit and silica sand reclamation rulemaking projects move forward Full story
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DNR Contact
Heather Arends
Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road, Box 45
St. Paul, MN 55155-4045
Email: heather.arends@state.mn.us
Telephone: 651-259-5376 or 888-646-6367
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DNR Silica Sand Projects
Learn about DNR's role in silica sand related projects.
Click each project to expand. Click again to hide.
Rulemaking and reclamation
Webpage »
Fact sheet »
DNR is also directed to create rules pertaining to the reclamation of silica sand mines. The rulemaking effort is being coordinated with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Environmental Quality Board (EQB), who are also directed to develop silica sand related rules. Currently, and advisory panel has been assembled and is meeting monthly. For more information visit the DNR’s Rulemaking and Reclamation page for Silica Sand linked above.
Trout stream setback permit
The DNR is directed to develop and administer a setback permit for silica sand mining within one mile of a designated trout stream. For more information on the setback permit see the DNR’s fact sheet.
DNR Fact sheet »
View an interactive web map displaying a 1 mile buffer from designated trout streams and their tributaries within the section of the designated trout streams GIS layer. The purpose of the web map is to assist regulatory authorities and project proposers determine if a proposed mine requires a DNR silica sand mine trout stream set back permit (MN Statutes, section 103G.217).
Interactive web map »
Technical assistance team
Assembled and led by the Environmental Quality Board (EQB), the DNR is a participating member of the silica sand Technical Assistance Team. The purpose of the team is to provide local governments, at their request, assistance with ordinance development, zoning, environmental review and permitting among other issues.
State silica sand website
Website »
The web portal, developed by the Environmental Quality Board, provides a single website for citizens to track agency activities related to silica sand projects. Information on this website includes links to other state agencies as well as the meeting information for the Silica Sand Rulemaking Advisory Committee, which is jointly led by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the DNR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Download FAQs as PDF
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What is silica sand?
Silica sand consists of well-rounded, sand composed of almost pure quartz grains. Quartz, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), is the most common mineral found on the Earth’s surface and is found in rocks like granite, gneiss, and sandstone. The value of silica sand can be significantly higher than sand and gravel used in the construction industry. Silica sand is processed into frac sand, a product used by the oil and gas industry.
What type of industries use silica sand?
Silica sand has been mined in the Upper Midwest for over a century. Uses for this resource include a variety of products and applications like glass-making, abrasives, bedding for livestock, golf course sand traps, and frac sand. Over the past decade, a sharp increase in demand for silica sand corresponded with a rapid expansion of shale oil and gas development. An extraction method called hydraulic fracturing is used to access oil and gas from shale and limestone bedrock which can require approximately 10,000 tons of frac sand per well.
Where is silica sand found?
Map of quartz-rich sandstone with 50 feet of surface in Minnesota »
Silica sand is mined from Paleozoic-aged sandstones occurring in portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. In Minnesota, glacial drift and other bedrock layers commonly exist on top of the sandstone. Three sandstone formations have potential for producing high quality silica sand. The Jordan and Wonewoc sandstones are the most sought after sources for frac sand, followed by the St. Peter sandstone. Natural aggregates mined from sand and gravel deposits do not meet the specification for frac sand.*
*Dustman, J.E., Gulbranson, B., Bell, P., Gregg, W., 2011: Characteristics of high quality frac sand, and where to find it in the upper Midwest., Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 43, N 5.
What is the status of silica sand mining in Minnesota?
Map of active silica sand mines* in Minnesota »
Silica sand is found in the southeastern portion of the state. Five mines are currently known to extract silica sand for industrial applications. An unknown number of silica sand mines produce silica sand for construction and agricultural uses. Silica sand mines producing frac sand may or may not process the sand on-site. Off-site processing plants that receive silica sand from various mining operations in Minnesota and Wisconsin are also found in Minnesota.
How is it mined?
In Minnesota, all silica sand mines that produce industrial and agricultural sand operate as surface quarries using similar equipment as aggregate mines. Both surface and underground mines exist in other states.
What is "fracking"?
“Fracking” is slang for hydraulic fracturing. Developed in 1947, hydraulic fracturing is a method used to increase the production of a well. The hydraulic fracturing process for oil and gas uses a mixture of proppant (usually frac sand), water, and chemicals. The mixture is injected into a well under very high pressures. Small cracks form in the bedrock, frac sand “props” open the fissures, and conduits form to allow the flow of fluids and gas within a well. The average depth of an hydraulically fractured oil/gas well is between 6000-9000 feet below the surface.
Is fracking for oil and gas occurring in Minnesota?
No. Sand used for hydraulic fracturing is mined and/or processed in Minnesota. The sand is then transported out of the state by rail or barge to oil and natural gas producing regions (e.g. Western North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Texas). However, a method of hydraulic fracturing is used in Minnesota to increase production of water wells screened in certain types of bedrock.
Why here? What makes our sand so unique?
Even though sand is found all over the world, the sandstones of the Upper Midwest have several unique physical properties (listed below). It is one of a few known places on Earth where this resource occurs, making it a globally desired commodity.
- Composition: Sand usually contains many different rock types; however, silica sand consists of nearly 95% quartz.
- Strength: Quartz is a very hard mineral and able to withstand high pressures produced during the hydraulic fracturing process without breaking.
- Shape: The sand grains are shaped like little ball bearings allowing for oil and gas to flow between individual grains without clogging the fractured rock. It is very important that the round, unbroken grain shape is preserved throughout mining, processing, and transporting the sand to the market.
- Size: The sand grains are fairly uniform in size. When washed and screened, the sands meet a precise grain-size distribution required for frac sand (specified by the American Petroleum Institute, Recommended Practice 56):
Who regulates silica sand mining?
Counties, townships, or municipalities are the responsible governmental unit (RGU) for administering permits to mine for silica sand. The DNR administers an additional permit for mines within one mile of a designated trout stream.
Who are the other regulating authorities?
Depending on size and scope, the proposed mining operation may be subject to the following state and federal permits and regulations:
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