Tampa-The Hillsborough County, Fla., Commission voted 5-0 Aug. 22 to allow The Mosaic Co. to mine an additional 2,067 acres at its existing mine in the southeastern area of the county. Cattle farmers in the area had complained that noise and dust from the mining operation would be a problem for their livestock, according to an article in the Tampa Tribune. Mosaic did not respond to a request for a comment. The approval allows the company to mine within a 150-foot setback, rather than the normal 200 feet. The commission also denied a request that Mosaic not be allowed to mine between the hours of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., rather than around the clock, after the company said it needed the 24-hour-a-day operation to meet its contractual obligations. The Tampa Bay Water Authority will monitor water at the site for metals and will do additional testing if the ph level increases. The tract will be mined for about five years. Previously, Mosaic leased the land to tomato farmers. The company was also seeking to have additional land rezoned to further expand its mining operations in the area by another 1,599 acres; a hearing was scheduled for Oct. 9.
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