- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is inviting the public to provide input on the agency’s most recent effort to assess the latest scientific, natural resource and socio-economic information relating to industrial sand mining and its infrastructure. “The department is conducting a strategic analysis on industrial sand mining in order to provide quality, factual information to the public and decision makers,” said Dave Siebert, Environmental Analysis bureau director. “We welcome the public’s input in helping us determine what should be considered in the analysis.” The public comment period for the scope of the strategic analysis runs through April 20. Go here to participate.
- Select Sands Corp. announced results of a second diamond drill hole (ST14-03) which is 3,150 ft. or 960 meters east of the first hole ST14-02 at its Sandtown project in northeast Arkansas. The Drill was analyzed by Stim-Lab for sieve analysis, crush resistance, silica content (SiO2 percent) sphericity and roundness, acid solubility and turbidity, all of which meet or exceed API “Tier-1” specifications for frac sand.
- According to the Post-Bulletin, citizens frustrated with the Houston County, Minn., Board for not approving a ban on industrial silica sand mines filed three ethics complaints against Houston County Zoning Administrator Robert Scanlan. They allege he owns a shale mine so he should have recused himself in discussions of changes in mining rules. And they contend he has been leading the Houston County Board of Commissioners astray with bad advice. In turn, two county commissioners defended Scanlan, saying such a ban would result in costly lawsuits against the county, and that the board never reversed course on the ban as opponents allege.