Cemex reaches agreement on California coastal mine

By |  July 17, 2017

The California Coastal Commission approved the agreement Cemex negotiated with commission staff regarding the continued operation of the Cemex Lapis sand plant at a meeting in Seaside, California.

The agreement is part of a settlement of disputes with the commission, the State Lands Commission and the city of Marina over the historical operations of the more than 110-year-old Lapis sand plant.

The Lapis sand plant is located on about 400 acres in Marina with more than a mile of oceanfront. Cemex says the sand provided by the Lapis plant has been used in several California infrastructure projects, as well as for environmentally beneficial uses such as water treatment, and even by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The approval by the Coastal Commission was the result of years of discussions and is another step in the retirement of the plant operations in 2023, Cemex adds.

At a hearing, the California Coastal Commission set forth the long history of the Lapis sand plant operations. As part of the resolution, Cemex withdrew its filings that detailed the multiple reviews of the Lapis sand plant operations by various regulatory agencies over the past 50 years without raising the alleged violations or concerns at issue in this matter. Cemex says it has maintained an open-door policy at the site, hosting many elected officials, governmental representatives and their staff.

“The Lapis sand plant will continue to operate responsibly during the multi-year phase-out period, just as it has for decades,” says Eric Wittmann, Cemex regional president, West Region.

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Kevin Yanik

About the Author:

Kevin Yanik is editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry. He can be reached at 216-706-3724 or kyanik@northcoastmedia.net.

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