Overview
Willcox Rock & Sand, Inc. has submitted a Reclamation and Closure Plan for the Outer Space Material Source, an existing aggregate mining and processing operation located southeast of Willcox in Cochise County, Arizona.
The site has been used as a material source since 1955 and continues to provide aggregate materials for construction and commercial use within the region. Operations include excavation, screening, crushing, stockpiling, loading, and hauling of aggregate materials.
The Reclamation and Closure Plan has been submitted to the Arizona State Mine Inspector’s Office for review and approval under the Arizona Aggregate Mined Lands Reclamation Act. The purpose of the plan is to identify how the site will be reclaimed to a safe and stable condition after mining operations are complete.
Key Details
- Project Name: Outer Space Material Source
- Operator: Willcox Rock & Sand, Inc.
- Location: 9 Miles Southeast of Willcox of of Highway 186, Cochise County, Arizona
- Parcel Number: 305-01-019
- Site Size: Approximately 128 acres
- Current Use: Aggregate mining, processing, and open space
- Historic Use: Material source operations dating back to 1955
- Proposed Mining Duration: Approximately 20 years
- Proposed Post Mining Land Use: Open space
- Proposed Final Disturbance: Approximately 116.9 acres
- Processing Area: Approximately 19.5 acres
- Access Road Area: Approximately 0.7 acres
- Closest Residence: Approximately 1.3 miles northwest of the nearest excavation area
- Technical Consultant: Himes Consulting LLC
- Design Support: Stadler Design Group, LLC
- Outreach Support: W3 Planning and Research, LLC
Reclamation Plan
Proposed Mining and Processing Activities
The operation includes the removal and processing of aggregate materials. Activities may include excavation, crushing, screening, stockpiling, loading, hauling, equipment staging, and other related construction material operations.
Processing is located in the southwestern portion of the site and includes a crusher, conveyors, screen equipment, stockpile areas, a mobile scale, and mobile support equipment.
Reclamation Plan
The proposed post mining land use for the property is open space. Reclamation will be completed after mining operations conclude and will include removal of mobile equipment, cleanup of processing related areas, removal of trash and debris, regrading, scarification of disturbed areas, and stabilization of final slopes.
Final mined slopes are planned at 2:1 horizontal to vertical or flatter to support long term site stability and public safety. The disturbed portions of the site will be scarified to promote natural revegetation consistent with the surrounding semidesert grassland environment.
Reclamation is anticipated to be completed within one year after cessation of mining operations, subject to Arizona State Mine Inspector review and approval.
Public Safety and Environmental Measures
The reclamation plan is intended to return the site to a safe and stable condition. The plan includes removal of scrap metal, wood, trash, debris, mobile equipment, and other materials that could create a public safety concern or nuisance.
Because final mined slopes are proposed at 2:1 or flatter, no hazardous surface features are anticipated to remain after reclamation. Site specific grading may be used where necessary to address erosion and maintain slope stability.
Reclamation Plan for Review
In accordance with A.R.S. § 27-1271(B)(13), this serves as official notice that a proposed Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan has been submitted to the Arizona State Mine Inspector’s Office.
Arizona law requires this notification be provided to residential property owners located within a one-half mile radius of the aggregate mining operation. This plan is a mandatory component of the state’s regulatory framework to ensure all aggregate mine sites are professionally closed and restored once mining activities are complete.
Questions?
Please send any questions to:
david@w3planning.org or call at 928-830-0217.
Arizona State Mine Inspector Process
- ASMI will review the plan for technical accuracy and completenes.
- Plan will be sent to qualified engineers who are experts in the field of mine reclamation and they will perform a technical review on the plan.
- Once all comments from the qualified engineers are addressed as part of the technical review, a public meeting will be scheduled by ASMI, where technical comments will be taken from the public in consideration of the plan.
- If all requirements are met, the plan will be approved and the reclamation plan will become a requirement for the mine once it is no longer feasible for mining.
- The Arizona State Mine Inspector will provide public notice of the meeting in accordance with Arizona State Law.