big arizona mining project nearing end of public comment period

A project to open a pozzolan mine some 12 miles west of Prescott, Arizona is about to take another step forward with a comment period set to expire this fall.

The Scottsdale-based Kirkland Mining Company has been trying for several years to secure all the needed approvals to open the mine on a 90-acre site in Yavapai County’s Skull Valley.

The mid-sized quarry operation would mine for pozzolan, an ingredient used as a supplement in commercial concrete production.

Located on property owned by the Bureau of Land Management, the mine has been out of commission since 1985 and is surrounded by open space used by hikers and walkers.

Although the BLM earlier this spring released a report indicating that there is currently no asbestos or erionite contamination at the site, opponents of the plan have expressed concerns about the impact of hazardous dust particles floating in the air should the mine be re-opened.

By Garry Boulard