The Mosaic Co. on Feb. 21 announced a settlement agreement with the Sierra Club, Manasota-88, and People for Protecting the Peace River in litigation challenging the company’s federal wetlands permit at the South Fort Meade mine. This permit allows mining of the Hardee County Extension near Bowling Green, Fla. The settlement, which is subject to approval by the courts, will resolve the pending appellate and trial court proceedings regarding the permit in their entirety and allow mining at the South Fort Meade mine to proceed.

"Mosaic is pleased to have reached a reasonable agreement to end litigation that has loomed over the employees at our South Fort Meade mine for more than a year and a half. This settlement provides certainty around our South Fort Meade mine, and we look forward to bringing it back to full production. We’re hopeful this agreement provides the foundation to continue our constructive dialog with these interested stakeholders as we look to the future," said Richard Mack, Mosaic’s executive vice president and general counsel. "It’s especially encouraging that this settlement includes a significant public benefit by conserving the Peaceful Horse Ranch property."

Upon approval of the courts, Mosaic will soon begin mining the Hardee County Extension of its South Fort Meade mine in accordance with federal, state, and local permits and approvals. The Hardee County extension will allow 10 additional years of mining at the South Fort Meade Mine, which employs more than 220 Central Floridians. Mosaic says the facility is one of the most efficient and cost-effective phosphate mining operations in the world, historically accounting for nearly 20 percent of U.S. phosphate rock production. Since 2010, the mine has operated at a reduced capacity due to the permit challenge. The settlement agreement will conclude that litigation and allow the mine to return to its full operating capacity. Any financial charges incurred as a result of the settlement are not expected to be material.

The agreement requires the plaintiffs to dismiss their challenge to the South Fort Meade permit in exchange for certain commitments by Mosaic, including:
• Preservation of approximately 130 acres of land otherwise eligible to be mined by Mosaic;

• Donation of the Peaceful Horse Ranch in DeSoto County to the State of Florida or, alternatively, a not-for-profit organization for permanent conservation;

• Certain mitigation, monitoring, and site enhancements;

• Additional efforts to obtain permanent conservation easements along the Peace River.

In December, Mosaic acquired at auction Peaceful Horse Ranch, which comprises 4,171 acres located in DeSoto County at the convergence of Horse Creek and the Peace River. The property is located immediately adjacent to existing conservation lands as well as the water intake for the Peace River Manasota Water Supply Authority. Mosaic paid for approximately $10 million for the property.

Peaceful Horse Ranch is on the State of Florida’s list of priority projects for its Florida Forever land conservation program. Upon conveyance, Mosaic will also provide up to $2 million for startup and recurring expenses to operate Peaceful Horse Ranch as a state park in accordance with the State’s Florida Forever program plans. Its conservation will expand wildlife corridors and preserve vital habitats and floodplain, while protecting a vital water resource from approaching development.

Mosaic’s South Fort Meade Hardee County Extension is 10,856 acres, of which approximately 3,200 acres are to be preserved under the permits authorizing Mosaic’s mining activities. The existing permits preserve more than 73 percent of the site’s wetlands and 60 percent of all streams on-site. Under the terms of the settlement, Mosaic will now have access to mine more than 7,000 acres of land containing viabl