Project Overview

While agriculture is still big business in Florida, smaller farming operations like M Ranch are challenged with keeping their lands sustainable.

Identifying a New and Needed Resource

In researching new agricultural opportunities for the land, soil tests revealed that high quality soil and aggregate materials were present in certain locations on the property. This material is a valuable resource needed by the local construction industry for new residential developments and commercial sites, parks, stormwater, utility, and roadway improvement projects throughout St. Lucie County.

 

Locally Sourced Materials

Locally sourced and sold materials strengthen the local economy when the revenues remain in local hands. Today, a portion of the demand for quality fill material is being met by importing material from mines far outside the local area.

Truckloads of materials shipped long distances have a greater negative impact on St. Lucie’s roads and infrastructure. Imported materials can also ultimately cost more, and affect the affordability of all types of projects, particularly housing. Market surveys show that some materials are even being reserved for future use and may not be locally available when needed. All of these factors support the demand for new sources of local soil and base rock. The demand exists and will continue to grow as more infrastructure improvements are needed.

 

About the Mining Operation

Of the 2,300-acre property:

• The vast majority of M Ranch, about 95%, will remain in traditional agriculture.
• M Ranch is seeking to modify the existing State permit and obtain a new County permit, significantly reducing the size of the approved mine from 930 acres to 164 acres.
• The size of the excavated area would be limited to 80 acres, with an additional 51 acres for buffering, and 33 acres for staging activities, totaling approximately 164 acres for the entire mine area.
• In addition, the project will use a 10.53-acre private Haul Road located entirely on M Ranch property for access to the mine.

 

About Wet Mining

Mining has come a long way.

M Ranch will be using the latest technology and state-of-the-art mining techniques and environmental best practices in its construction and operation, as well as during the reclamation phase once the mine’s life cycle is complete.

This new technology is a non-blasting method called wet mining.  Wet mining involves using a dredge and a floating concentrator, which moves along behind the dredge in the pond and excavates underwater.  This process minimizes noise and dust.