A controversial gravel mining project north of Fresno near the San Joaquin River received a temporary stop sign Thursday by the Fresno County Planning Commission. Multinational mining company CEMEX proposed expanding their current operation on the river into a 600-foot deep blast mine with a 100-year timeline. However, county staff recommended a shallower, shorter project alternative. By a 3-3 deadlocked vote, commission members rejected the modified proposal, which had required a majority for approval. … While gravel mining has been part of the San Joaquin River landscape since the early 1900s, all used traditional alluvial methods, which involve digging and excavating using heavy machinery. What CEMEX proposes, to blast and drill into the granite bedrock near the river, is entirely new for the area.