WHITEHALL, Wis. – The frac-sand mining giant Hi-Crush is liquidating its Whitehall facility, apparently as part of its bankruptcy. The mine, which opened in 2014, closed 1-1/2 years ago. At the time Hi-Crush laid off its last 35 workers after a series of earlier layoffs amid the oil-drilling industry’s declining interest in Wisconsin sand. At its peak, the Whitehall mine produced 2.9 million tons per year. Drilling companies gradually have shifted to cheaper sand closer to Texas oil wells and saving $60 per ton in railroad shipping charges. Hi-Crush, based in Houston, has had frac mines in Trempealeau and Jackson counties. The Jackson County mine, near Taylor, remains in operation. The company emerged from bankruptcy early last year.
When times were good. In its six-year run, the Whitehall mine produced sand for hundreds of shipments.
Hi-Crush assets
Heritage Global Partners, a San Francisco asset liquidator, lists these geographic for anyone interested in buying a frac mine :
> 80.7 million tons of reserves.
>1,5 acres with coarse Northern white sand reserves.
> Onsite railyard with 30,000 feet of track for 500 hoppers.
Up for auction
Baghouses, conveyor, fluid bed dryers, radial stackers, weigh belt feeders, rotary valves, rotex screen, surge tanks.