Pacific

Permit given to mine on CNMI's Pagan Island

05:52 am on 9 September 2014

A company has been given approval to mine in Northern Marianas.

Pagan Island Photo: Supplied

JG Sablan Rock Quarry can mine the cement additive pozzolan on Pagan Island after the government issued the company a 20-year mining permit.

The agreement follows more than eight years of litigation in Superior Court.

The company reportedly reached a $4.8 million settlement with the government, which also calls for a $100,000 permit fee payable in 120 days from its execution.

Studies indicate that there are at least 100 million metric tons of pozzolan on Pagan.

Pozzolan is a siliceous volcanic ash used in cement production.