Residents and Goshen mayor urge Utah County to scrutinize Maverick Rock expansion

The Utah County Commission on April 10 heard forceful public opposition from Goshen town leaders and residents to a proposed expansion by Maverick Rock of a vested mining right.

County Attorney Dale explained that state law requires the commission to approve an expansion of a vested mining right if the applicant proves the new area is contiguous, on the same mineral trend, or a geologic offshoot of the existing mine — unless clear and convincing evidence shows imminent danger to public health, safety or welfare. Maverick Rock asked to continue the item and indicated it would add additional parcels, so the commission held a public hearing record and later continued the decision without a date to allow the company to submit further information.

Mayor Staley of Goshen told commissioners the proposed expansion would run roughly five miles through Goshen Valley and said the local deposits appear to be sand rather than the limestone Maverick claims, raising questions about whether the two sites are part of the same vein. Staley described road damage, heavy dust, and the proximity of the proposed mine to the town’s primary well and its source-protection area, saying those threats warrant close scrutiny and, if approved, heavy regulation.

Raymond Bond, a nearby resident, said the mine entrance is about 20 feet from his driveway and described repeated truck traffic that blocks driveways, mud and sand tracked onto private property, and damage to narrow rural roads. "I don't want to see anybody get hurt," Bond said, adding that frequent heavy trucks have been waking his children and harming property values.

Commissioners asked the county attorney to provide the statutory and technical definitions they should apply when evaluating geological evidence — whether state law looks to a contiguous physical vein or to a broader geological trend — and noted that the applicant bears the burden of proof by providing geological reports. The commission agreed to continue item 21 without scheduling a date until Maverick furnishes the requested legal descriptions and supporting geology.

Next steps: the commission continued item 21 (the Maverick Rock expansion) without a date; staff and the county attorney will provide legal definitions and the applicant must submit geological documentation before the commission will take final action.