Public meeting held on JDI aggregate pit reclamation plan near Kingman; plan found technically complete

The Arizona State Mine Inspector’s Office held a public meeting to accept comments on a reclamation plan submitted by JDI Enterprises LLC for an aggregate pit about 5 miles east of Kingman in Mohave County. The inspector’s office said the plan has been reviewed, found administratively and technically complete, and is now through the public meeting step of the reclamation-plan approval process.

Under Arizona Revised Statute 27-12-29 and the Aggregate Mine Land Reclamation Act, the mine inspector’s jurisdiction covers reclamation of mining operations that disturb more than 5 acres on privately owned land. A representative of the inspector’s office told attendees the office will maintain a record of the meeting, accept written comments, and consider whether the proposed plan meets the statutory and rule-based approval criteria, including Arizona Revised Statute 27-12-73. The office also said it is not the permitting authority for zoning, water, air, traffic or noise; those matters must be addressed with the corresponding agencies.

The reclamation plan submitted by JDI Enterprises LLC covers a 48.4-acre property (a portion of Section 17, Township 21 North, Range 15 West) with about 23.1 acres of proposed surface disturbance. The submission describes a final pit depth of “32” (units not specified in the meeting record) and final reclamation slopes of 3:1 (horizontal:vertical) or flatter. Mining operations are anticipated to begin in late 2025 and continue for approximately 15 years; the plan states reclamation of mining, processing and related areas will commence immediately upon completion of mining and is expected to be completed within one year following cessation of mining activity. The inspector’s office representative said that, if the plan is approved, the responsible party must provide financial assurance within 60 days and must submit annual reports and closure documents when reclamation is complete.

Ken Overson, identified in the record as the owner’s representative and owner of W3 Planning and Research representing the owner, said the project team conducted community outreach in late October and mailed 41 notices to properties within roughly a half-mile radius, with three undeliverable addresses. Overson said the outreach yielded one written public comment from a resident who supported the application and ongoing mining activity.

Resident Andrea Shields, who said she lives off West Wind Road, asked about a posted sign indicating a license expiration in 2035 and whether mining might continue beyond the 15-year timeframe described in the reclamation plan. A representative of the inspector’s office responded that the reclamation plan does not grant mining permits and that mining operators must separately obtain any permits needed to operate. The office reiterated its reclamation jurisdiction: once cessation of mining occurs, the law requires reclamation to begin within 12 months unless an extension is granted under statute. The inspector’s staff also said the office “cannot speak to” other agency permits referenced on signage and offered to connect residents with on-site operators for questions about other permits.

Shields told the panel that residents she spoke with were reassured by information from the operator about low water use and air quality; she conveyed that those neighbors viewed those as positives. The inspector’s office collected a comment card from Shields and closed the meeting at 12:45 p.m.

No formal approval, rejection or vote on the reclamation plan occurred during this meeting. The record indicates the plan is eligible to continue through the review and approval process set out in state law and that further administrative steps (consultant technical review, agency coordination and a decision on approval that would trigger financial-assurance requirements) remain.

The inspector’s office referred attendees to other agencies for questions about permits, air quality, water and traffic. The office will consider written comments submitted at this meeting and any other relevant technical input before making a final determination under the statutory approval criteria.