The Science & Technology of Industrial Sand Mining

Sand is great for a sandvox, but why would companies go through the trouble of mining tons of it out of the ground. Learn more about the geology of sand deposits, how frac-sand is mined and processed, how a sand mine company limits their environmental impact, and even how they are helping to preserve an endangered butterfly species. Going undercover as "kids on a mine tour" our investigators reveal the technology and physics of a modern industrial sand mine. They focus on the science and practices that impact the environment while decoding the unique geology behind the secrets of what makes something as simple as sand so valuable. Find out how sand miners extract select zones of quality industrial sand without blasting ancient sandstone formations to smitherines.