CHINO VALLEY, ARIZONA: A resident of Chino Valley, Ted Del Cerro effectively halted the opening of a mine within a residential area by purchasing the land slated for the project.
Cerroco LLC, the buyer, acquired several parcels of land in the Cedar Heights neighborhood from Fortune Rock, LLC on November 21, according to documents obtained by 12News.
The resident showcased a commitment to preserving the neighborhood and preventing the mine's development, marking a successful intervention in the community's interests.
The mining project 'constitutes a public nuisance'
Ted Del Cerro, the new owner who successfully thwarted the mine's development in Chino Valley, expressed, "It just seemed like the right thing to do," in an interview with 12News.
This follows 12News' earlier reporting on the story, during which Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes initiated legal action to intervene and prevent the mine from proceeding.
Residents near the planned mine site expressed feeling blindsided by public notices posted on electrical poles in the neighborhood three months ago. Concerns raised by locals centered on potential noise and environmental impacts.
In response, a spokesperson for Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes stated that their office is in the process of confirming the sale and emphasized the need to verify that the new owner, Ted Del Cerro, has no intentions of pursuing mining activities on the property.
"Attorney General Mayes brought this lawsuit to protect a community from a mining project that would constitute a public nuisance and was absolutely unsuited for a residential location and we remain committed to ensuring a mine is not operated from this location," the spokesperson said.
Local residents 'take a deep breath'
Ted Del Cerro, the new owner of the land, stated that he hasn't made a decision about the land's future use but assured that it will not be developed into a mine.
Local residents, who were living near the proposed mine, expressed gratitude that their peace and quiet are no longer in jeopardy.
One resident, Danny Brumett, described the situation as a shock and emphasized, "It was a shock, it's like, time to take a deep breath and rest for a bit because this has been a long haul."
The community is urging Arizona lawmakers to reconsider a state statute that exempts mines from zoning ordinances.
They aim to advocate for changes to prevent similar situations in other communities. Susi Brumett emphasized the desire to "pay it forward" and support others facing comparable challenges.
