Lafarge turns over mining rights across 1,300 acres

Lafarge North America has come to terms with government agencies and jurisdictions to turn over land leases in an effort to preserve the land in and around the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge.

Lafarge held leases to extract sand and gravel on three properties totaling about 1,300 acres around the wildlife refuge. The company worked in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the state of Colorado, Jefferson and Boulder counties and the city of Boulder as it developed government proposals, which included the sale of Lafarge’s leased mining rights in the area.

Lafarge’s first lease has been terminated and the mining permit for the 640 acres was transferred to Boulder County. The second lease of 605 acres was terminated and is undergoing reclamation in cooperation with DOE. The mining rights on the third parcel are expected to be turned over to DOE later this year.