Updates January 2, 2022

The Mineral Licensing Board (MLB) for Sharon Township met on Dec 20 to review the application to expand the sand and gravel mine on M-52. NOTE: The Planning Commission has received the information it requested from Stoneco regarding the proposed mine on Pleasant Lake Rd.  It will likely meet later in January.  More on this to come.

And, may all Sharon Township residents enjoy a safe, healthy, joyful new year in our beautiful community.

Here is a summary of Monday’s meeting regarding the proposed expansion of the M-52 mine.

Background
A subsidiary of Aggregate Industries (a subsidiary of LaFargeHolcim) has applied to expand mining operations on both sides of M-52.  In brief, the company is applying to:

• Mine below the water table in the “west pit” (current site, formerly operated by 52 Minerals)
• Mine below the water table in the “east pit” (former Farmer’s Mine)

Here is the information submitted by the company:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14DQfne4I-1tYrQdQqv1D2jc8ptgS_MCF

Purpose of the Meeting
The MLB convened the meeting to determine if the information submitted by Aggregate Industries was complete, as determined by the licensing ordinance.  This is important because once the board determines the information is complete, the board has 90 days to respond to the application: approve, deny or approve with conditions.

Summary
The MLB determined the information provided with the application was incomplete; the company had asked for alternative ways to provide a letter of credit and conduct a hydrogeology study.  After discussion, the board determined it would require the information as requested in the ordinance.  Therefore, it deemed the application was incomplete. 

When the board receives the information, it will ask the township engineer to evaluate it, and will schedule several review meetings.  It must respond to Aggregate Industries within 90 days of receiving the complete information.

The board also disclosed the mine operator had breached the setback on it’s northern boundary, and wanted an explanation and schedule for fixing that. 

Other notes
Sharon Preservation Society articulated a broad range of concerns regarding the information in the application and its potential impact on residents.  It will be providing its comments on its website, which will be live in early January.

The MLB conducted an orderly efficient meeting.  The Chair, Andrew DeLeeuw, facilitated a fair and cooperative review, stressing the importance of following the township’s ordinance in all decision making, and sticking to business. Board members had reviewed the information and had good questions. 

There was limited attendance for this meeting.  About 10 people affiliated with the mine (including a compliance person, the consulting geologist, the mine operators and some others.)  They were respectful. There were 12-15 residents attending; those who spoke shared concerns about the potential impacts of the mine.