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Mercer County lifts ore-processing moratorium; commissioner recuses in road-reclamation matter
Summary
The commission voted 3–2 to remove a moratorium on ore processing and arranged a site visit after a Coyote Creek Mining Company representative said the mine is ready to reclaim a closed public road; States Attorney Todd Schwarz advised Commissioner Casey Voigt to participate only as a landowner due to his direct involvement.
The Mercer County Commission narrowly voted Feb. 20, 2025, to remove a county moratorium on ore processing, and commissioners made procedural rulings and a site-visit plan tied to a separate mining road-reclamation issue.
Commissioner Rick Bauman moved to remove the moratorium and Commissioner Mark Pierce seconded; Bauman, Pierce and Chairman Gene Wolf voted in favor while Commissioners Jamee Folk and Casey Voigt voted against. The minutes record the vote as carried, 3–2.
Separately, Coyote Creek Mining Company Land Manager Brad Erickson discussed a 2016 resolution and agreement with Mercer County concerning a closed public road. Erickson told the commission the company is ready to complete reclamation and “is willing to reconstruct this road in a way that will best benefit Mercer County.” States Attorney Todd Schwarz advised that Commissioner Casey Voigt, who is directly involved in the matter, "can only speak on this as a landowner or member of the public, and cannot be a part of the commission’s final decision." Commissioners agreed that Voigt (in his landowner capacity), Erickson, Commissioner Rick Bauman and Schwarz will meet at the site next week and then work with surrounding landowners on reconstruction.
The minutes record no final county decision to accept or require a particular reconstruction plan; they record a commitment to a site visit and further coordination with landowners. The 2016 resolution and agreement cited in the minutes is referenced as the governing background for the closed-road matter.
The moratorium removal takes effect immediately per the minutes; follow-up steps on the closed-road reclamation will be determined after the on-site meeting.
