Preferred Sands purchased more than 4,000 acres in northern Atascosa and southern Bexar counties, near San Antonio, and plans to begin construction of a sand mine on the land by the end of the year.
According to My San Antonio, Preferred Sands’ Sand Mining of Texas already has its permit from the Texas environmental regulator and could have already started construction of the mine, located in Atascosa County. However, the company chose to halt its plans in May to work with Atascosa County residents who were worried about heavy truck traffic on their rural roads, as well as possible health impacts and heavy industry across from their homes.
The company then decided to start construction at a new location – at a site off of State Highway 16 – where Martin Marietta Materials has operated a sand mine for decades, My San Antonio says. The Preferred Sands mine and the Martin Marietta mine will operate on different parts of the property. The original location planned for the site will remain a hay field.
According to My San Antonio, the frac sand from the new mine will be transported to the nearby Eagle Ford Shale oil field. The company already has the needed permits for the new site.
