The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments on a proposed expansion of the Hard Rock Main Pit aggregate mine south of Salida.
Hard Rock Paving and Redi-mix is requesting to expand the boundaries of their current mine operation, which is currently on private and BLM lands.
The proposal would permit Hard Rock to expand its operation east and south onto approximately 50 additional acres of BLM land, extending the life of the mine for another 38 years. The expansion would provide access of up to 50,000 tons of gravel annually and would realign the mine access road for safety.
Comments can be submitted at go.usa.gov/xf5TN or mailed to “Hard Rock Mine Expansion,” 3028 E Main Street, Canon City, Co 81212 and must be received by September 30.
A local non-profit group calling themselves “No Mining on Methodist” created a website and campaign to stop the expansion.
On their website they say, quote, “Hard Rock Paving and Redi-Mix, a Front Range company, wants to more than double the size of its rock and gravel mining operation onto BLM land on the flanks of Methodist Mountain. The expansion would eliminate a popular trail and directly affect residential neighborhoods with increased truck traffic, dust pollution and industrial noise.”
You can visit their website, No Mining on Methodist Mountain, to learn more.
