Of the numerous pristine beaches and secluded bays on the islands, Whitehaven stands out for its 7km strip of pure white silica sand.

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The company is the second largest producer of commercial silica, which is a sand-like substance used in fracking as well as glass making and chemical manufacturing.

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U.S. Silica projects that demand for its fracking sand will increase 15% by 2015.

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U.S. Silica specializes in commercial silica used in a variety of industries, the most prominent being "frac sand" to stimulate oil and gas recovery in formations such as shale.

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