New data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows the country's production of industrial sand increased more than 36 percent in 2017 as Wisconsin again led the nation.
The agency's 2017 Mineral Commodity report was released Thursday. It says the county's total production was about 105 metric tons, worth an estimated $3.5 billion.
Wisconsin produced $1.5 billion worth of materials, most of which was industrial sand. Only 14 states produced more.Industrial sand is used in hydraulic fracturing and foundries.
The report says the industry rebounded from 2016, when producers had idle mines and laid off workers.
The oil and gas industries drove much of the increase.
The Department of Natural Resources says there are more than 90 active mines in Wisconsin.