Fresno supervisors approve 63-year CEMEX blast mine near San Joaquin River
Fresno County supervisors voted 3-2 to approve a 63-year permit for CEMEX to blast hard rock at its Rockfield quarry near the San Joaquin River. The approved plan caps the pit at 300 feet deep, half the original request, and includes conditions for road funding and periodic reviews. Opponents, including state agencies and environmental groups, warn of severe flood risks and salmon habitat destruction, while supporters emphasize job preservation.
Key points
- The Board of Supervisors approved a modified proposal, reducing the pit depth from 600 to 300 feet and the duration from 100 to 63 years.
- CEMEX must pay approximately $150,000 annually for road improvements, increasing to $300,000 after ten years, and return for reviews at 10 and 30 years.
- Blasting is restricted to weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., occurring once or twice weekly.
- The project overturns a previous 3-3 deadlock at the Planning Commission, which had effectively denied the application.
- CEMEX’s current permits expire in July 2027, making this approval critical for continued operations.
Background
The Rockfield site has been mined since 1913. In October 2026, the Planning Commission failed to approve the project due to a tie vote, leading CEMEX to appeal. The site is located near a $44 million salmon hatchery and within a federally designated floodplain, areas of significant concern for regional restoration efforts.
How outlets are covering it
Supporters, including CEMEX and union members, argue the project preserves 130 jobs and provides essential local aggregate. Supervisor Garry Bredefeld emphasized the economic impact on families. Opponents, including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the San Joaquin River Parkway Trust, argue the project threatens salmon spawning and risks catastrophic flood breaches. UC Berkeley expert Mathias Kondolf warned that CEMEX’s flood maps are flawed, noting a previous breach in 2005 cost taxpayers $4.5 million. Supervisor Brian Pacheco criticized the permit length, while Luis Chavez argued CEMEX failed to act as a 'good neighbor' by ignoring mitigation recommendations.
Why it matters
The decision sets a precedent for industrial expansion in sensitive riverine areas. It highlights the tension between economic stability and environmental preservation in the San Joaquin Valley, where billions in public funds are allocated for river restoration and park development. Legal challenges are anticipated, potentially delaying operations or imposing further restrictions.
What to watch
CEMEX expects to begin blasting within a few years. The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust are considering litigation. CEMEX must return to the board at the 10-year and 30-year marks for compliance reviews. The company is also working on a land swap to resolve a violation regarding 14 acres of state land.
- Fresno County supervisors approve CEMEX mining expansion project ABC30 Fresno
- Fresno County approves blasting 300-foot mine near San Joaquin River over strong opposition Fresno Bee
- Supervisors approve CEMEX Rockfield Quarry expansion plan in 3-2 vote KMPH Fox 26
- Fresno CEMEX blast mine at high risk for breach due to flood? Here’s what experts say ahead Thursday’s key vote Fresnoland
- San Joaquin River Protectors Speak, Want CEMEX to Kick Rocks fresnoalliance.com
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