WINONA — The Minnesota Court of Appeals has turned back a challenge to Winona County newest frack sand mine.

Twelve residents challenged the county board’s approval for a condition use permit for the 19-acre sand mine in Saratoga Township.

Judge Francis Connolly, writing for the three-judge panel, said there’s a reasonable basis for the permit and the board’s conclusion that the project wouldn’t have a significant environmental effect.

The owners of the land where the mine is located, David and Sherry Nisbit, originally applied for the permit in 2011, but the county imposed a one-year moratorium on mine permits. Reports said the board in April 2013 approved the permit with 39 conditions.