CEMEX seeks approval for deep mine near San Joaquin River

A company that has mined the San Joaquin River since 1913 is looking for approval once again to dig a 600-foot-deep mine along the San Joaquin River — and critics of the plan are preparing to fight it.

The Mexico-based multinational company CEMEX has applied to modify the Rockfield Aggregate Facility on North Friant Road to allow them to dig and blast through hard rock as deep as two football fields for 100 years. The company processes gravel, sand and other building materials, and has applied before for such a project.

The application is set to go before the Fresno County Planning Commission at 8:45 a.m. Thursday in the chambers of the Fresno County Hall of Records, 2281 Tulare St.

Critics of the project were recently preparing to take on the application, which they argue could have long-term effects on the San Joaquin River, lead to air and noise pollution and add more heavy trucks to Friant Road.

Along with the concerns around pollution, the length of the 100-year request from CEMEX is concerning, according Sharon Weaver, the executive director of the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust.

“So it’s going to outlive us. In some cases, it might outlive our children and grandchildren. I have to ask, is that really appropriate for us to be making decisions for future generations?” she said on Friday. “Because that’s what they’re going to be putting in place. Something that is going to go on far beyond our lifetimes.”

While there has been mining near the surface for about 100 years, the proposal would be the first use of explosives for deep mining of hard rock anywhere along the river.

CEMEX issued a statement Monday through a spokesperson, Randy Stuart, saying they were aware of the interest in the proposal.

“The project remains under review as part of Fresno County’s environmental and permitting processes. Stakeholder concerns, including blasting, traffic, water management and potential environmental impacts, are currently being evaluated along with proposed mitigation measures,” the statement said. “Cemex will continue to participate in the county-led review process and provide information as requested.”

Another long-time detractor of the project and retired architect Neil Thompson made a rendering of the mine that has made the rounds on social media. A more recent image from him shows the Golden Gate Bridge, which is 746 feet at its tallest point and about 1.7 miles long, almost fitting entirely inside the proposed mine.

The proposed site is just south of Lost Lake and north of Ball Ranch, near the border between Fresno and Madera counties. There are residential homes to its west and farmland in just about all directions.

Some say the deep mine would likely be a burden on area homeowners in places like Tesoro Viejo, Sumner Hill and some other neighborhoods.

A real estate agent for about a decade, Giovanni Pivirotto said he’s no fan of the proposal and the effects it could have on nature. He also argued real agents would likely be required to divulge the project to anyone looking to buy in the area. Air pollution and the sounds of drilling could scare off buyers, he said.

“When you’re buying or selling a house, you’ve got to disclose anything that might impact that house or the sale of it or the surrounding area,” he said. “Imagine the impact on home values across the board, in all of these neighborhoods, all at once, at the same time.”

The mining could also be a burden to the aquifer. Detractors of the project note mining uses water, and a mine deeper than anything else in the area would need to pump water out of the hole constantly.

Then there are the fans of the river as a place to frolic. Lori Garcia said she grew up in Pinedale in a family with not a lot of money, saying the San Joaquin River was a relatively cheap option for families like hers. She runs accounts on social media aimed at letting others know about the plan, including Save the San Joaquin River and what is essentially its duplicate in Spanish, Raza for the River.

She said she was concerned about many of the potential effects along the river.

“I’m not a scientist. I’m just a resident that loves nature and cares about the world,” she said. “The toxins affecting flora and fauna. Just putting toxins out, beating the roads when we are we already have worn roads. Who’s going to pay for that?”

A photo composite rendering of CEMEX’s proposed blast mine near the San Joaquin River and its proximity to Fresno. Courtesy Neil Thompson A photo composite rendering made by a retired architect of CEMEX’s proposed blast mine near the San Joaquin River and the Golden Gate Bridge, which critics of the project say could nearly fit in the proposed hole. The photo was on display Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust’s River Center. THADDEUS MILLER tmiller@fresnobee.com Concerned residents review photo composite renderings of CEMEX’s proposed blast mine and its proposed location near the San Joaquin River. The photos were on display Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust’s River Center. THADDEUS MILLER tmiller@fresnobee.com The CEMEX quarry site is seen in this drone image about a mile-and-a-half down the road from the company’s Rockfield aggregate plant in Friant on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. The company applied to Fresno County to continue mining the quarry for 100 years, and use blasting and drilling to mine a 600-ft deep pit. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com Trucks come and go at the entrance to the CEMEX Rockfield aggregate plant site in Friant on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. The company applied to Fresno County to continue mining the quarry for 100 years, and use blasting and drilling to mine a 600-ft deep pit. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com

This story was originally published October 6, 2026 at 6:26 AM.

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