CEMEX Sand Mine Agreement Approved by California State Lands Commission

HOUSTON, Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Final approval of CEMEX's agreement to phase out operations at our long-running Lapis sand plant occurred when the California State Lands Commission unanimously approved the agreement Thursday in Sacramento, Calif. This agreement reflects a settlement of disputes with the State Lands Commission, California Coastal Commission and the City of Marina over the historical operations of the more than 110-year old Lapis sand plant. The plant's dredge mining operation will be phased-out by the end of 2020 and all plant operations will cease in 2023.

As part of this resolution, CEMEX has withdrawn its filings detailing multiple reviews of the Lapis sand plant operations by various regulatory agencies over the past 50 years.  The reviews all failed to raise any of the concerns or alleged violations recently brought forth by the State Lands Commission, the City and the Coastal Commission. 

"CEMEX is committed to caring for our employees, our communities and the environment.  We believe this agreement honors those fundamental principles," said Eric Wittmann, CEMEX USA Region President - West Region.  "The agreement balances the interests of all the stakeholders of the Lapis operation, including our employees, suppliers, customers and the community."

The Lapis plant is located on approximately 400 acres with more than a mile of ocean front in Marina, Calif., and has remained a fixture of the Central California Coast since 1906.  The sand provided by the plant has been used in countless California infrastructure projects, as well as environmentally-beneficial programs like water treatment and even by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Lapis sand continues to be a key component of a unique concrete product specified by CalTrans for use in bridge roadways to enhance safety.

During the phase-out plan, CEMEX will continue its long-standing support of the environment in the region and the preservation of the site's unique sand dunes. CEMEX has maintained an open-door policy at the Lapis site, hosting many elected officials, governmental representatives and their staff, and looks forward to assisting in the transition of the site in the future. 

CEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high quality products and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries throughout the world. Its U.S. network includes 11 cement plants, 43 strategically located distribution terminals, over 50 aggregate quarries and more than 270 ready-mix concrete plants.

SOURCE CEMEX