Komatsu’s Joy Global seeks permission to dismantle Lead Carbonate mill in Gladstone; historical society urges alternatives

Joy Global Underground Mining LLC, a Komatsu subsidiary, appeared before the San Juan County commissioners seeking approval of a demolition permit for the Lead Carbonate mill at Gladstone, citing public‑safety and liability concerns for a structure that county staff and the applicant described as accessible and unstable.

Willie Tufkin, the county administrator, introduced the application and explained the property lies in the Mount Mountain zoning district with a Historic Preservation overlay. He said the planning commission reviewed the matter on Sept. 16 and recommended approval with conditions contained in the staff report. The applicant provided written materials and photographs and answered commissioners’ questions.

Bill Stuckey, Komatsu’s global environmental director, and Bob (applicant representative) told the board the company’s primary objective is to address a clear public‑safety risk because the mill is easily reached from County Road 110. “We’re here to do the right thing,” Stuckey said, and the company said it would prefer a solution that preserves a visible footprint of the mill while removing unstable timbers and debris.

Multiple public commenters — including the San Juan County Historical Society and residents — urged the board to pursue stabilization, documentation, and partnership with preservation organizations. The historical society’s letter opposed dismantling the structure and recommended stabilization, grant searches, and photographic recording. A local resident who identifies with the historical society noted that “once these structures are gone, they’re gone forever,” and suggested donation of the property to the historical society or other preservation approaches.

The applicant’s representatives said they had engaged with the county process and told the board they had not been able to preserve the structure in its current state without creating the same safety hazard. The applicant said a practical path may be to remove the timbered, unsafe portions while retaining concrete walls and foundations and to provide professional photographic documentation and interpretive signage to preserve the site’s historical footprint.

After public comment, the applicant asked the board to continue the hearing to allow more time to consult with the San Juan County Historical Society and legal counsel; the board agreed to continue the public hearing to November 12 to give the applicant and the historical society time to negotiate potential mitigation, signage, and stabilization options. Commissioners emphasized they wanted the applicant to return with proposed language for conditions and with documentation and mitigation steps the historical society could review.

Why it matters: The Gladstone mill is a visible remnant of the county’s mining history and sits in a Historic Preservation overlay. The proposal pits public-safety and corporate-liability considerations against preservation goals and places the county in the mediator role as the applicant and historical society negotiate conditions that could keep a record of the site’s history while addressing safety risks.