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Introduction: Magic Mineral

Thomas W. Pearson

in When the Hills Are Gone: Frac Sand Mining and the Struggle for Community

Provides an overview of frac sand mining, its rapid growth in western Wisconsin, and its role within the wider fracking commodity chain. Also paints a historical backdrop and situates the author as a ... More

Provides an overview of frac sand mining, its rapid growth in western Wisconsin, and its role within the wider fracking commodity chain. Also paints a historical backdrop and situates the author as a concerned citizen and an anthropological researcher involved in grassroots efforts to stop a company called Vista SandLess

Confronting the Next Boom

Thomas W. Pearson

in When the Hills Are Gone: Frac Sand Mining and the Struggle for Community

Describes the recent downturn of the frac sand mining industry, the broader significance of struggles over local control and local democracy, and promising directions for grassroots activism.

Neighbors

Thomas W. Pearson

in When the Hills Are Gone: Frac Sand Mining and the Struggle for Community

Mining companies have developed various tactics to overcome local opposition, but also to assert a sense of “belonging” in a contentious social landscape. They invoke alluring narratives about jobs, ... More

Mining companies have developed various tactics to overcome local opposition, but also to assert a sense of “belonging” in a contentious social landscape. They invoke alluring narratives about jobs, small-town neighborliness, corporate citizenship and responsibility, Wisconsin's supposed mining tradition, the role of resource extraction in modern civilization, and environmental sustainabilityLess

In Pursuit of Local Democracy

Thomas W. Pearson

in When the Hills Are Gone: Frac Sand Mining and the Struggle for Community

Returns to the story of Vista Sand described in the introduction and follows concerned citizens as they organize against a proposed mine and rail spur, ultimately seeking to confront the mining ... More

Returns to the story of Vista Sand described in the introduction and follows concerned citizens as they organize against a proposed mine and rail spur, ultimately seeking to confront the mining industry within local democratic decision-making bodiesLess

Dangers Unseen

Thomas W. Pearson

in When the Hills Are Gone: Frac Sand Mining and the Struggle for Community

Explores the relationship between the perception of new environmental hazards introduced by frac sand mining and competing visions of place and rural landscape. Varied and sometimes contradictory ... More

Explores the relationship between the perception of new environmental hazards introduced by frac sand mining and competing visions of place and rural landscape. Varied and sometimes contradictory underlying meanings inform local activismLess

Low-Hanging Fruit

Thomas W. Pearson

in When the Hills Are Gone: Frac Sand Mining and the Struggle for Community

Traces the early years of the industry as it followed the path of least resistance to places more supportive of their interests. Concerned citizens fought back, but often unsuccessfully. Activism ... More

Traces the early years of the industry as it followed the path of least resistance to places more supportive of their interests. Concerned citizens fought back, but often unsuccessfully. Activism evolved from protest to monitoring and led to the founding of the Save the Hills AllianceLess

Where You Live

Thomas W. Pearson

in When the Hills Are Gone: Frac Sand Mining and the Struggle for Community

Documents how people experience mining-related changes and conflicts, drawing on ethnographic interviews with residents living next to mines, processing plants, and hauling routes. People grappling ... More

Documents how people experience mining-related changes and conflicts, drawing on ethnographic interviews with residents living next to mines, processing plants, and hauling routes. People grappling with a sudden influx of mining activity suffer significant disruptions that erode their sense of place and belongingLess

Save Our Hills

Thomas W. Pearson

in When the Hills Are Gone: Frac Sand Mining and the Struggle for Community

Recounts the origins and early success of grassroots activism that developed in response to one of the first proposed frac sand operations in the region. Identifies the factors that led to citizens ... More

Recounts the origins and early success of grassroots activism that developed in response to one of the first proposed frac sand operations in the region. Identifies the factors that led to citizens defeating the proposed mine, many of who became involved in the struggle against Vista Sand several years laterLess