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Senate committee hears proponent testimony on bill to create state rules for underground limestone mining
Summary
Tim Wilson, president of the Shelley Company, told the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee that Senate Bill 181 should establish a uniform, statewide regulatory program for underground limestone mining and that underground operations are likely to increase as surface reserves diminish.
At a meeting of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the committee held the third hearing on Senate Bill 181 and heard proponent testimony from Tim Wilson, president of the Shelley Company.
Wilson told the committee the Shelley Company is "one of Ohio's leading limestone, concrete, and asphalt paving companies," and described company operations and industry needs as the basis for supporting SB 181. He said the company operates "more than 90 locations and 1,600 employees," serves 81 of Ohio's 88 counties, and runs 25 surface mines and "including two underground limestone mines here in Ohio," one in the Marble Cliff area of Columbus. Wilson said the bill would create a statewide regulatory program administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to address mine development, roof control, groundwater, closures, blasting, and safety.
Wilson argued underground mining will become more prevalent as surface reserves are harder to access in growing areas. "If aggregate material is unavailable locally, the material must be transported to the market," he said, noting transport increases costs. He provided several quantitative examples from his testimony: his company supplied "more than 300,000 tons of aggregate materials, which equates to approximately 12,000 truckloads for just one of the many mega projects here in Central Ohio," and that establishing a greenfield mine can approach an investment cost of "$75,000,000 to $100,000,000" (testimony phrased as "approach an investment cost of $100,000,000" and similar ranges were discussed). He said underground operations typically extract about "70 to 75%" of material and must leave the balance as pillars for structural support.
Senators used the hearing to press on local impacts and regulatory details. Vice Chair Kaler asked whether underground mining still involves blasting and dewatering of wells; Wilson replied, "When we are underground mining, we still have blasting that will happen. We still almost always will have water that we need to understand and deal with." On permits and zoning, Wilson said the bill would allow ODNR to establish the permitting structure for underground mining separate from surface-mining permits and that operators sometimes must pursue land and zoning approvals many years in advance.
On safety, Wilson said federal mining regulations remain in effect and that Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) oversight is more frequent for underground operations. "MSHA, instead of OSHA, regulates the mining industry," he said, adding that MSHA "is required to visit each surface mine at least twice a year. They will be visiting each underground mine no less than four times a year." He also described requirements for multiple escape routes, ventilation, and specialized rescue teams.
Wilson said the industry is already operating several underground limestone mines in states including Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Illinois and that underground mining is less common than surface mining because it is typically less economically feasible and requires leaving pillars to support the roof.
No opponents or additional witnesses testified, and the committee took no formal vote on SB 181 at the hearing. The hearing closed after a period of questions from committee members.
