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.