Fresno County supervisors are set to decide Thursday whether CEMEX can blast deeper into a quarry near Friant, a plan that has split residents, environmental advocates and business groups over what it could mean for the San Joaquin River and the families who live nearby. The public hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the Fresno County Hall of Records in downtown Fresno.
CEMEX wants to expand its existing Rockfield quarry using explosive blasting to mine rock for construction materials, according to KMPH Fox 26. The proposal has drawn criticism from environmental advocates who say it could threaten the river and nearby homes, with opponents raising concerns about wildlife, water quality and the people who live closest to the site.
The company's original request called for a mine reaching 600 feet deep — roughly the length of two football fields — with a permit lasting 100 years, The Fresno Bee reported. Critics quoted by the Bee argued the project could have long-term effects on the San Joaquin River, generate air and noise pollution, and add heavy truck traffic to Friant Road.
Planning Commission Deadlocks, Scope Shrinks
The Fresno County Planning Commission failed to approve the project after a 3-3 vote in October, sending the matter to the Board of Supervisors. The scaled-back version now before supervisors would allow mining as deep as 300 feet, though accounts differ on how long that permit would run — KMPH reports a term of up to 63 years, while KVPR reports county staff recommended a 67-year permit.
Accounts also differ on when CEMEX's existing mining contract at the site is set to expire. One GV Wire report put the expiration in July 2027, while a separate GV Wire report cited July 2025; the discrepancy between the two has not been resolved in available reporting.
Sharon Weaver, executive director of the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, has been among the most vocal critics. She said blasting at the site could break glass in a neighbor's house, and told reporters she believes the project is unnecessary and poses too much hazard to the river for the benefit expected.
River Already Flagged As Endangered
The stakes extend beyond the quarry's fence line. American Rivers ranked the San Joaquin River second on its 2026 list of America's Most Endangered Rivers, citing the pressures facing the waterway. Weaver's concerns echo that broader designation, even as supporters of the project emphasize the economic case for keeping the quarry running.
The Central Valley Business Federation, which counts CEMEX as a member, said the quarry supports 100 union jobs and an estimated 750 indirect jobs. The federation has argued that keeping construction materials local reduces the need for long-distance trucking to haul in aggregate from elsewhere.
Opponents have pushed back on that economic framing, questioning whether the expansion is even necessary. A 2026 study cited by GV Wire found the Fresno region holds roughly 530 million tons of permitted aggregate reserves against projected regional demand of 227 million tons over the next 50 years — more than twice what is expected to be needed, according to the report.
Supervisor Points To Evidence, Enforcement
CEMEX, for its part, said in a statement to Fox 26 that it remains committed to safe, responsible operations that respect the environment. Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig said the board's decision will be based on evidence presented at the hearing, and noted that violating permit conditions could result in the permit being revoked.
The vote comes five months after supervisors gave a similar mining proposal near Sanger more time to develop its operations in June, a precedent that opponents and supporters alike may point to as Thursday's hearing unfolds. For now, the outcome rests with the Board of Supervisors, and residents on both sides of the debate are expected to turn out at the Hall of Records to make their case.
