Ignoring overwhelming community opposition, a dire warning of “catastrophic risk” by a key state agency and the likelihood of litigation, the Republican majority on Fresno County’s highest elected body greenlit an unprecedented hard-rock mine near California’s second-longest river. Following a special meeting that lasted nearly 5 hours, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors on Thursday gave multi-national mining company CEMEX its thumbs-up to blast and drill a 300-foot-deep pit 3.5 miles outside the Fresno city limits for the next 63 years. The company already mines near the San Joaquin River using traditional alluvial methods. … Julie Vance, Central Region manager for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, raised concerns about land ownership, water rights and potential impacts to both salmon restoration and nesting birds.

Related:

• The Fresno Bee (Calif.): Fresno County approves blasting 300-foot mine near San Joaquin River over strong opposition
• Fresnoland (Fresno, Calif.): Despite ‘catastrophic risk’ warning, Fresno County says ‘yes’ to blast mining the San Joaquin River
• The Business Journal (Fresno, Calif.): Cemex wins 3-2 approval to expand Rockfield mine
• ABC30 (Fresno, Calif.): Fresno County supervisors approve CEMEX mining expansion project