ROCHESTER (KTTC) -- Silica sand mining, used in the process of extracting fossil fuels from the ground, could soon be taking place in Olmsted County.
The Planning Advisory Commission approved Thursday night a recommendation that the Olmsted County board consider the amendments for silica sand mining.
There are no specifics as to where these mining operations could take place, however, it would be St. Peter and Jordan Sandstone.
Both sands are the right size for extracting natural gas.
"Because that's proven to be economical [fracking] and releases millions of cubic feet of natural gas, all of a sudden there's a use for a sand that didn't have much use before," Olmsted County Planning Director Phil Wheeler said.
There are many huge concerns, including the potential for water contamination and hazardous dust affecting the air quality.
The Olmsted County Board will decide if it wants to proceed with sand mining plans during the committee-of-the-whole meeting on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
