Picking the Best Industrial Sand Supplier for Your Operation

Multiple industries require bulk aggregate silica sand for their daily processes. However, not all sand products are the same, and finding the right industrial sand supplier is critical. Partnering with the wrong company could delay delivery and impact your product’s quality. Read more about what to look for in a bulk aggregate supplier.

Characteristics of Quality Industrial Sand Suppliers

When researching for a silica sand supplier, make sure to seek information regarding the following topics:

Bulk Sand Selection

A quality industrial silica sand supplier should offer a wide selection of products. Different processes require specific types of industrial sand, and verifying that a provider can satisfy your needs prevents delays.

Quality of Sand

Along with checking various sand availability, ask about the sand’s quality. All sand contains silica, but many industries need their sand to have at least 95% silica content. A provider delivering low-quality sand decreases productivity and leads to sunk costs.

Loading Process

A lengthy loading process creates downtime that impacts your productivity. Ask your potential supplier how quick their loading process is and the average turnaround time at their facility. Providers with rapid turnaround times should be more than happy to detail their process.

Quality of Service

Customer service should be a top priority for any quality sand supplier. Ask potential candidates for references from clients or search online for reviews. Seeking suppliers with a strong customer service team provides peace of mind that any issues will be addressed.

Signs of Bad Industrial Sand Suppliers

Inconsistent Particle Size Distribution

One of the key indicators of a subpar frac sand supplier is an inconsistent particle size distribution. High-quality frac sand should have a uniform and well-graded particle size to optimize permeability and porosity in hydraulic fracturing operations. Signs of variability in particle size, including the presence of fines or oversized grains, can lead to inefficient fluid flow, reduced conductivity, and ultimately hinder the effectiveness of the fracking process.

Poor Crush Resistance

Crush resistance is a critical property of frac sand, determining its ability to withstand the immense pressure exerted during hydraulic fracturing. If the sand particles lack the necessary crush strength, they can fracture and break down under pressure, compromising the integrity of the proppant pack. A reliable frac sand supplier ensures that their product maintains high crush resistance to ensure long-lasting conductivity in the reservoir.

High Containment Levels

Contaminants in frac sand, such as clay, silt, and other impurities, can detrimentally impact the fracing process. Excessive contaminants can lead to formation damage, reduced well productivity, and increased operational challenges. A reputable supplier conducts thorough quality control measures to minimize contaminant levels in their frac sand, ensuring that the proppant meets industry standards and enhances the overall efficiency of the hydraulic fracturing operation.

Inadequate Logistics and Timely Delivery

Efficient logistics and timely delivery are crucial aspects of the frac sand supply chain. A subpar supplier may struggle with logistical challenges, resulting in delays in delivering sand to the well site. These delays can disrupt the entire fracking schedule, increasing downtime and associated costs. A reliable supplier should have well-established logistics and distribution networks to ensure the timely and consistent delivery of frac sand to meet the operation’s demands.

Lack of Proven Reserves and Testing

A trustworthy frac sand supplier should provide evidence of abundant, high-quality sand reserves and conduct rigorous testing to validate the suitability of their product for hydraulic fracturing. Failure to demonstrate the availability of proven reserves or unwillingness to share comprehensive testing data may indicate a lack of commitment to quality and transparency. A reputable supplier ensures that their frac sand undergoes rigorous testing for key properties, such as crush resistance, roundness, and sphericity, to guarantee its effectiveness in the field.

Are you tired of working with providers that ship contaminated sand to your facility? Contact Pontotoc today and learn more about our quality assurance process that delivers clean silica sand ready for use.

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Why Use Pontotoc As Your Industrial Sand Supplier?

We understand the valuable role silica sand plays in mining and product development. That’s why we work with our customers to provide high-quality sand for them. Our goal is to be a partner and not just a supplier. We separate ourselves by offering the following advantages:

Extensive Product Selection

We deliver various sand products that suit any industry’s needs. Our industrial sand is perfect for the glass and ceramics industry, and we offer the following types of tier-1 frac sand for the oil and gas industry:

100-Mesh

Our 100-mesh sand is mined from premium sandstone layers and is one of the most commonly used products. This sand exceeds all American Petroleum Institute specifications and provides these benefits:

Extreme crush resistance
High roundness that minimizes fine generation
Withstands closure stresses up to 14,000 PSI

40/70 Mesh

We also provide specialized 40/70 mesh frac sand that handles extreme underground pressures. This proppant sand is crush-resistant and features sphericity values of .7 or greater.

40/80 Mesh

Our 40/80 mesh sand delivers value for fracking operations that need medium-density proppant. Featuring a high silica content and low acid solubility, this sand offers elite crush resistance to provide a pathway for oil and natural gas.

High Quality Sand

Unlike some sand suppliers that deliver sand loaded with debris and contaminants, our sand is cleaned at our mine and arrives at your facility ready for use. We use a quality assurance process to verify each shipment of sand meets industry standard specifications.

Rapid Turnaround Time

Our team understands how critical load time is for your business. That’s why we’ve developed a truck-loading process that’s completed in less than seven minutes. Our industry-leading system automates paperwork and keeps your driver in their vehicle.

Partner With Pontotoc Today for Construction-Grade Industrial Sand

At Pontotoc, we go above and beyond federal and state guidelines to meet safety expectations. Employees undergo 24 hours of health and safety training within their first 90 days of employment, and workplace examinations are conducted at the beginning of each shift. We believe in practicing environmentally safe mining and make efforts to recycle 98% of the water used in our operations. Contact us today and see why more businesses are choosing Pontotoc to be their industrial sand supplier.