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Wholesome/AmRise updates council on McHenry Pit mining, reclamation schedule
Summary
Company representative described current and near-term mining at the McHenry (West) Pit, hours and permit limits, reclamation work and contractors, and said most mining should finish in one to two seasons.
Randy, a company representative for Wholesome (doing business soon as AmRise), updated the City Council on March 17 about ongoing mining and reclamation at the McHenry Pit (formerly West Pit), describing current operations, permits and a near-term schedule.
Randy said the company has roughly 600 acres on the south side (the South Mine) and about 157 acres on the north side. He said the South Mine parcels were annexed in 1988, extended in 2018, and that processing on the South Mine is permitted through the end of 2026. He described the North Pit as annexed in 2004 and subject to an amended agreement in 2023 that extended reserves on that side.
The presentation gave an operational overview: recent activity focused on “dry bank” excavation that finished in mid‑2024 and on below‑water mining that has created an expanding lake on the south side. Randy said the primary crusher has not been operating since June 2024 and that most current work uses quieter backhoe and loader methods with no haul‑truck movement in residential areas. He told council the company has found more material than previously predicted and expects “one or two more seasons” of mining in the south area; further work in the north pit will depend on demand and stripping costs.
Randy outlined reclamation steps and schedule. He said Ploti Excavating began grading and earthwork earlier in the year, with McGinty Brothers scheduled to follow for seeding and blanket work. The company plans to retain some berm topsoil along Burning Tree while grading progresses, then remove it during final restoration to meet bond and Illinois Department of Natural Resources permit requirements.
On operating limits and permits, Randy described the current permitted hours (weekdays 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturdays 7 a.m.–3 p.m.; maintenance 5 a.m.–8 a.m.; wash operations allowed 24 hours) and noted the processing plant south of Route 120 will remain while north‑side material is delivered to the plant. He also said the operation is coordinating with McHenry Township Fire Protection District to site a tornado siren on the company’s property near newer homes.
Council members asked clarifying questions about zoning and annexation terms, reclamation deadlines, and whether the company would seek future extensions; Randy said, to his knowledge, no extension requests were planned and that reclamation is proceeding on schedule. He also explained that material remaining at the far west end could support limited additional mining into 2026 if a pea‑gravel stockpile is moved.
The presentation was informational; no formal council action was requested or taken on mining permits during the March 17 meeting.
Ending: Council thanked the presenter and had staff available to follow up on zoning and annexation documentation if members wanted further detail.
