View more information about Mining in Manatee County

Two types of mining occur in Manatee County:

Phosphate Mining

Manatee County locally regulates phosphate mining operations under Chapter 2-20 of the Land Development Code (LDC). This section of the LDC is typically known as the “Phosphate Mining Code”. Phosphate mining operations also require permits issued by the state. Currently, over 23,000 acres of land in Manatee County are approved for phosphate mining. Phosphate mining has occurred in Manatee County since the 1970s, but only one company is actively mining phosphate in Manatee County – Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC. Phosphate is primarily used to make fertilizer, but is also used in food additives, cleaners, and animal feed. 

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Borrow Pit Mining.

Borrow pits are also regulated locally in accordance with Section 702 of Manatee County’s Land Development Code. Borrow pits also typically require permits from the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In Manatee County, borrow pits are typically mined for sand, topsoil, and shell material. These borrow pit materials have a variety of uses, but are most commonly used for final contouring of construction sites & developments, housing foundations, and roadbases. There is currently only one (1) active permitted borrow pit in Manatee County.

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