Please, do not grant Silicon Dioxide LLC permit #099-9600 to open a silica sand mine at 7084 Furnace Rd., Stanton, KY 40380

Furnace Mountain in Powell County, KY is a quiet residential and agricultural community of people whose lives would be up ended by the proposed mine. The mountain is part of the Daniel Boone National Forest in the Red River Gorge region of eastern Kentucky - a beautiful and pristine area known for its caves and spectacular natural bridges.

After successfully working together as a community against a mining proposal in 2014 we are now facing the threat of a silica mine that would extract 1 million tons of sand in the coming 3 - 5 years from a leased property on the mountain.



The sand would be transported daily on the very small and dangerous mountain roads, 700 - 900 tons daily, day in, day out, with huge dump trucks probably passing by as frequently as every ten minutes.

The environmental risks of surface mining in Karst prone areas are enormous.

The risk for private water wells is incalculable.

The risk for endangered species living in the area is tremendous.

The loss of property value for land and homes in proximity to the mine will be immense.

Heavily increased traffic and noise thereof will burden all residents close to the quarry and along the two roads for years to come.

Life and safety of residents and guests on Hwy 213 and 1057 are seriously compromised if a mining permit is granted. School busses use both roads daily, and the company owner could not guarantee that there won't be encounters with one of the quarry trucks.

Dangerous air pollution from airborne silica will increase the risk of developing silicosis, tuberculosis, lung or renal cancer.





We are concerned citizens engaged in a group called "Save Furnace Mountain".

A lot is at stake for all of us, for our children and grandchildren and for the wildlife in this area.

Please support us to save Furnace Mountain! Thank you!