Aggregates – Court Lifts Mining Ban in Lake Belt Area in Dade Co. Florida

Implications: On May 9th A 10 month mining ban on rock mining in the Lake Belt Region of Dade County Florida was lifted by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta by a vote of 2-1.

Analysis: The decision lifted the ban on mining properties owned by White Rock Quarries, APAC Florida, Vulcan Materials and Tarmac. The ban was based on decisions by U.S. District Court Judge William Hoeveler. While the ruling is good news for the companies affected by the lower court rulings of March 22nd, 2006 and July 13, 2007, litigation will continue as the appellate court remanded the lawsuit back to the lower court.