Public comments were taking place in Bradenton on Monday at the second day of a hearing on Mosaic's request to expand phosphate mining in east Manatee County. 

  • Public comments continuing Monday after 1st meeting Thursday
  • Overflow crowd attended Thursday Mosaic meeting
  • Proposal would extend mining to another 3,800 acres
  • PREVIOUSLY: Mosaic mining expansion hearing packed

The mining company, which gained notoriety after a radioactive sinkhole formed at its plant in Mulberry, wants to rezone more than 3,800 acres of land in Manatee for mining. The issue has created a heated public debate.

Currently, the area is zoned as agricultural, but Mosaic wants to use the land to expand its phosphate mining.

Many residents packed the Manatee County Commission chambers Thursday to voice opposition to the proposal. A standing-room-only meeting and a long list of public speakers forced the meeting to continue Monday.

Residents said they have concerns after the sinkhole and leak at Mosaic's plant in Mulberry. However, Mosaic officials said Manatee County would not be affected because this plan doesn't include any stacks of gypsum.

Currently, Mosaic mines on 7,000 acres of land in the county. The proposal being voted on would extend mining near the northern edge of Myakka City.

"I'm very scared," Manatee County resident Ricky Mafera said. "I'm very scared for my family, my neighbors. (Mosaic is) going to be a nuisance. It's a 24/7 operation. We won't ever have the peace and tranquility. I've been out there for 25 years, since 1992. It was supposed to be a protected land on all the Manatee County maps and everything, and they weren't supposed to be able to mine that.

"How Mosaic got around that, I don't know." 

Not all residents at the meetings have opposed the expansion idea.

"I have no objections to the expansion, and I'm not really sure what all the fuss is about unless it's about unanswered questions," said Linda Eneix, a Manatee County resident.

If the county approves the Mosaic request today, they would still need additional approval, including a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit.