A final vote is expected Wednesday from Manatee County commissioners on whether to allow expanded mining from Mosaic in the eastern part of the county.
- Mosaic mining expansion in Manatee vote expected today
- Public comments period stretched over three days
- Mosaic wants to extend mining another 3,800 acres in Myakka City
- Previous stories on Mosaic Manatee County mining
County commissioners have heard hours of public comments on the future of phosphate mining in Manatee. The meetings have been crowded and at times heated. That likely will be the same today before this afternoon's 5 p.m. vote.
Residents and other detractors to the expanded mining point towards the large sinkhole and 215 million gallons of contaminated water into the aquifer at Mosaic's Mulberry phosphate location.
Mosaic already mines on 7,000 acres of land in Manatee County.
The proposal on the table would extend mining another 3,800 acres near the northern edge of Myakka City.
The biggest concern has been the Mulberry sinkhole that opened up last summer.
Mosaic officials, however, say the sinkhole was caused by a different type of mining.
The public comment period on the issue has stretched over three days, starting last month.