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Planning commission recommends approval for underground mine expansion near Dumely
Summary
The St. Charles County Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval Dec. 17 of an amendment to an existing conditional use permit that would extend New Frontier Materials’ underground mine near Dumely while keeping surface operations, blasting schedules and production rates unchanged. Neighbors raised concerns about blasting, lights and setbacks.
The Planning & Zoning Commission on Dec. 17 recommended approval of an amendment to a 2003 conditional use permit that would expand New Frontier Materials’ underground mine at 2710 Highway F, the commission’s staff said.
Staff told commissioners the amendment would add roughly 174 acres of permitted underground workings but would not change surface operations, hours, blasting or production rates. The staff report noted compliance with the county explosive code’s storage, handling, noise and vibration limits and displayed a concept map showing the nearest residence about 2,500 feet from the proposed extension.
Justin Higginbotham, director of stone operations for New Frontier Materials, told the commission the site has been a quarry since 1954 and has operated underground since 2004. Higginbotham said the expansion is an extension of existing operations confined to the company’s property and described published mine maps and regulatory oversight; he said the top of the mine ceiling is typically about 100–150 feet below the surface depending on topography.
Nearby landowners asked the commission for stronger conditions. Dale Gorilla, who said he represents an adjacent family property, asked that the permit limit hours, reduce blasting to once per day, prohibit blasting on Saturdays and require lights be turned off except for security when the facility isn’t operating. “We’re not here to try and stop this development,” Gorilla said, “but there should be some limitations on some of the parameters of their operations.” Other neighbors asked for a wider setback from property lines, seismic monitors on adjacent parcels and clearer, publicly available site plans.
Higginbotham told the commission the operation already monitors vibration at the closest structures and is subject to Mine Safety and Health Administration oversight, including periodic unannounced inspections. He said the company would install additional seismographs where required and said some operational adjustments to reduce off-site impacts were being explored.
Commissioners moved to recommend approval, adopting the staff-recommended conditions; a roll-call vote recorded 'yes' votes from Mister Shell, Mister Baker, Mister Niemiller, Miss Kirschner, Miss Barr, Mister Joe Quinn and the chair.
Next steps: the commission’s recommendation will be sent to the St. Charles County Council for consideration on Jan. 12, 2026.
