Mosaic gets second chance on Altman tract in Fla.

Bradenton, Fla.-The Mosaic Co. will get a second chance to win approval of its plan to mine the 2,050-acre Altman Tract after the Manatee, Fla., County Commission voted 5-2 last week to reconsider its earlier rejection of the project. The county’s attorney told commissioners Mosaic may be able to successful argue in court that it had been denied its property rights under the Bert Harris Act. On Sept. 16, the county commission agreed with environmental groups that the project could damage water quality in the Peace River watershed and destroy valuable wetlands, although other state and federal agencies had given their approvals. The company said the rejection could cost it more than $600 million in lost mining revenues. A public hearing will be held on Jan. 15.