By Billy Davis

Memphis Stone and Gravel Co. has added a new phase of aggregate mining to its Panola County operation following action Monday evening by the county land commission.

Monday’s decision came after commissioners voted in September to table any action, saying they wanted to visit the site before voting to accept or deny the company’s permit application.

Gathering in Sardis for the October meeting, commissioners discussed the controversial issue for about 30 minutes before voting unanimously to grant the permit.

Commissioner Danny Jones, who had made the motion to table the issue, made the motion Monday to allow the permit.

Memphis Stone geologist Alan Parks told the commission the newest phase would begin in two years then continue for another two. Reclaiming of the site would then take another two to three years, he said.

Memphis Stone operates from leased acreage located along Highway 35 and Walls Road southwest of Batesville. The company began its operation there five years ago after land commissioners granted a special exception permit.

The leased land is also located inside Batesville’s city limits, and Batesville aldermen voted in July to grant a zoning variance to allow the mining in the city portion. That action is being appealed in Circuit Court by homeowners Scott and Mona Harrison, who were in attendance Monday and voiced opposition to Memphis Gravel’s plans.

At Monday’s meeting, Parks and Memphis Stone president Hal Williford tag-teamed as commissioners peppered them with questions about noise, dust and safety.

Although the public hearing was held last month, Scott Harrison to repeat his disapproval along with Walls Road residents, husband and wife Ronald and Iris Ridgeway.

“We’re absolutely sick of eating dust and diesel exhaust,” Mr. Ridgeway told the commission.

“It shouldn’t be at people’s back door – or their front door or side door,” Mrs. Ridgeway added.

Referring to the dust and noise, commissioner Bob Haltom asked Williford if the mining operation had failed any inspections by the state of Mississippi.

“We’ve had violations,” replied Williford, who named two and described them as minor.

Williford said the mine is inspected twice a year by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. He named the agency’s Web site, msha.gov, and suggested that the commissioners view it.

According to the Web site, the operation is known as the Brassell Pit and is designated Mine No. 2200756.

A summary report of the Brassell Pit shows inspections in 2006, 2007 and 2008 that have resulted in 26 total violations.

Jones said he had visited the site twice since September and saw no dust and heard little noise.

In making his motion, Jones zeroed in on the gravel trucks that idle in a turning lane waiting for the gravel pit to open. To move more trucks off the highway, he asked that Memphis Stone move an entry gate farther into the driveway.

Jones also asked that Memphis Stone plant more pines to help fill in gaps along the berms and consider holding an annual forum to allow residents to address complaints about dust and noise.

“We can have a barbecue if we need to,” Williford replied.