– A silica mine proposed by NexGen Silica in southeast Missouri faced another setback.
– An appeal court ruled that it was within the Missouri Mining Commission’s rights to deny the project a permit.
– The decision again calls into question the long-term viability of the project.
– Concerns include potential environmental implications.
– This is just the latest battle in a prolonged local dispute over land use.
NexGen Silica’s Mining Proposal Meets with Judicial Setback
After a series of backlashes, NexGen Silica’s proposed mine in Southeast Missouri has hit another bump in the road. The Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District sided with the Missouri Mining Commission’s decision to deny the project’s permit on Tuesday.
The Legal Tussle
NexGen Silica’s long-standing dispute over its proposed silica mining project saw another chapter unfold on Tuesday. The firm was hoping to overturn the decision taken by Missouri’s state mining authority, the Missouri Mining Commission. However, the ruling by the Missouri eastern district appellate court reaffirmed the initial denial.
Context and Consequences
The ruling signifies yet another setback for NexGen Silica, further calling into question the long-term viability of the mining project. These continued obstructions suggest that the local dispute may significantly impact the trajectory of the project. Among the considerations are potential environmental implications and local concerns, factors that have played a dominant role in the tarred permit approval proceedings.
The Breezy Take
The projected struggles of NexGen Silica’s mining proposal provide valuable insight into the dynamics of local politics and environmental prudence. It suggests that hurdles in the path of such projects aren’t just regulatory but often rooted in legitimate local and environmental concerns. The tug-of-war between the company and the Missouri Mining Commission has not been abated by the recent court decision. Rather, as the case unfolds, expect emotions to run high and more intense debates on the use of land resources in Missouri to ensue.
Original article: https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/17/proposed-missouri-silica-sand-mine-loses-appeal-of-its-denied-permit/