Silica Sand
Silica Sand is quartz that over time has been broken down into tiny granules. In Michigan, Silica Sand is most commonly surface-mined in open pit operations. It is found nearly everywhere across the state, with most of the mining operations focused on the west coast near Lake Michigan.
Uses: Glassmaking, metal casting/production, ceramics, water filtration, oil and glass drilling and construction. Silica is an industrial sand and is the primary component in a wide variety of building and construction products.
Color: Silica sand colors range from a white to tan to brown, depending on how much iron is mixed in.
Fun fact! Did you know? Silica sand is made up of quartz. Quartz is the most common mineral in the Earth’s crust.
