Cemex halts 10-year pursuit of California quarry

The Fresno Bee reports that Cemex signed off on a mining prohibition for Jesse Morrow Mountain outside of Fresno, Calif., ending the company’s long push for a sand and gravel quarry in the area.

According to the newspaper’s report, Cemex officials said late last year that they would restrict mining on their 2,000-acre property. Cemex made the concession as part of a deal with Fresno County.

In return for the mining prohibition, county leaders honored an unusual request: to rehear the company’s failed environmental impact report for the originally proposed quarry. Company officials say an approved environmental report adds value to their property, which Cemex plans to sell.