"Mini-mine" is proposed for Soledad Canyon area

The U.S. Forest Service is considering a proposal to mine 3 million tons of anorthosite, a mineral used by the building industry. The mine would be located at the junction of Soledad Canyon Road and Agua Dulce Canyon Road in the Santa Clarita area.

The plans are to extract 150,000 tons of anorthosite a year from three parcels covering five acres within the Angeles National Forest area. The operation would continue for 20 years.

Proposed annual output that would be six times more than what the city calls acceptable "historic levels."

Anorthosite is a highly absorbent chalky white material, used for paint pigment and drywall filler, and to absorb horse litter in corrals.

The mining plan has passed through different operators over the years, but the last permit expired in 2000. The county would need to sign off on a mining permit and a reclamation plan in order for this project to move forward.

Why is that this area, which is close to the proposed Cemex mine, is rapidly becoming "Mining Central"?

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