A recent Wall Street Journal article discusses what it refers to as a "sand rush" in the Midwest due to an increase in demand for sand by U.S. oil and natural gas-producers. The sedimentary material is a necessary component in the process of "fracking," in which sand is "injected deep underground to prop open fractures in shale formations and allow oil and gas to flow out." The chart from the article shows the increase in demand for "fracking-sand" since 2008. As the chart shows, demand has increased from roughly 6 million tons in 2008 to nearly 30 million tons in 2011. According to the article, this increased demand is expected to bring more jobs to the Midwest, but there resistance from residents due to environmental concerns may play a role in the development of this industry.
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