Drake Cement Pozzolan Exploration and Mining

Drake recently submitted a proposed plan to explore additional natural pozzolan deposits adjacent to their existing mine at Frenchy Pit and at a location approximately 1.5 miles northwest of Frenchy Pit in the vicinity of Willow Springs Tank. This proposal consists of drilling a total of eight boreholes, ranging from 200-370 feet deep, that Drake would use to assess the extent and quality of the pozzolan deposits at these locations. This is not a proposal to conduct mining. The full proposal is available here:

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The Kaibab is currently completing an environmental analysis of this proposal, including public scoping. The Forest Service plans to collect pozzolan samples at the same time as Drake to inform a mineral classification process. Mineral classification will determine whether the pozzolan is appropriately classified as locatable or saleable.

Scoping information

The Kaibab is offering an opportunity for the public to comment on Drake’s proposal. Additional details are found in this letter. Please provide comments no later than January 9, 2026.  Comments must be in writing and may be delivered electronically, by mail, or by hand. Please mark comments “Attention: Frenchy Hill Deposit and Willow Springs Pozzolan Exploration.” Electronic comments can be submitted to comments-southwestern-kaibab-williams@usda.gov. Mailed comments can be submitted to the Kaibab National Forest Williams Ranger District, 742 S. Clover Road, Williams, Arizona 86046. Hand-delivered comments may be delivered to the address above Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, excluding federal holidays. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the public record for this project.

In 2023, Drake submitted a proposal to conduct pozzolan exploration at the eastern base of Bill Williams Mountain, south of Williams, AZ. In the same year, Drake also expressed interest in pozzolan mining in the Spring Valley and Willow Springs areas. However, in September 2024, Drake suspended their Bill Williams Mountain proposal and communicated they were no longer pursuing mining in the Spring Valley or Willow Springs areas at that time. The Kaibab had initiated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for the Bill Williams exploration proposal, which has since been canceled.  The forest had not accepted proposals for or begun environmental analysis of mining in the Spring Valley or Willow Springs areas. Drake has stated that they intend to maintain their mining claims at all of the above-mentioned locations. Outside of the Willow Springs/Frenchy Pit exploration proposal currently being reviewed, if Drake later decides to pursue any activities in these areas, they would need to submit a new proposal(s).

Q: Can I see the new proposed exploration plan that Drake submitted to the Forest Service?

A:  Yes. Drake’s proposal – the draft exploration plan submitted August 18, 2025 – is available here.

Q: What’s the difference between locatable and saleable minerals?

A:  Locatable minerals are materials such as gold, lead, copper, uranium, and gemstones that are open to exploration and mining on public lands of the United States under to the 1872 Mining Law. Forest Service administration of locatable minerals is governed by regulations at 36 C.F.R. 228, Subpart A.

Saleable minerals are materials such as sand, gravel, stone and cinders and require either a sales contract or free use permit to obtain from public lands under the Materials Act of 1947. Forest Service administration of saleable minerals is governed by regulations at 36 C.F.R. 228, Subpart C.

Depending on market conditions and a deposit’s characteristics, natural pozzolan may either be locatable or saleable. The Forest Service will conduct a mineral classification to determine whether the pozzolan deposit(s) in the Willow Springs and Frenchy Pit areas Drake has proposed to explore are locatable or saleable. This will inform the Forest Service’s decision space and management authorities should a future mining proposal be submitted.

Q: I heard the Forest Service has already approved the plan. Is this true?

A: No. The Kaibab National Forest has received the draft exploration plan for review, but this does not mean exploration activities have been approved. Approval of the plan would not occur until the entire review process is complete. The final exploration plan would incorporate any adjustments and mitigations identified during the review and would then be presented to the Forest Service for approval.

Q: How do I provide my comments?

A: While we are happy to listen and discuss any time you contact us, comments are most helpful if provided during the scoping period, which closes January 9, 2026. 

Q: Will tribal concerns be considered? How will Tribes be involved in the process?

A:  Yes. The Kaibab National Forest is consulting Indian Tribes on issues and concerns throughout the proposal and application review process. The Kaibab National Forest is committed to maintaining constant and open communications with our Tribal partners, including seeking to engage in fair, timely, and meaningful consultation.

Q: What level of analysis will this be? How long will this process take?

A: Analysis of the exploration proposal is anticipated to be a categorical exclusion. It is expected to be completed within several weeks to months.

Q: If the proposal is approved, would Drake be able to start mining?

A: No. Drake has not proposed to mine the area at this time, only to perform exploratory drilling. Any proposal for mining would be subject to a separate review process and environmental analysis.

Q: Can the Forest Service deny Drake's exploration proposal?

A: The Forest Service cannot deny someone’s right to explore for and discover valuable mineral deposits on federal lands that are open to mineral entry. National Forest lands are open to entry unless the area is withdrawn by the Secretary of the Interior or excluded by an act of Congress. The area where Drake is proposing to conduct pozzolan exploration activities is open to mineral entry.

It is the Forest Service’s responsibility to identify potential adverse environmental impacts on surface resources and any mitigation and reclamation measures, which is done through the environmental analysis process. Afterward, the Plan of Operations would be updated to incorporate those measures, then finalized and presented to the Forest Service for approval. The Forest Service must consider all reasonable proposals for mineral operations in areas that are open to entry.

Q: I heard Drake is already starting to mine. Is this true?  

A: Drake has been mining at a separate location – their Williams Pozzolan Mine located about 9 miles northeast of Williams at an area locally referred to as Frenchy Pit. That mine was approved in 2021. Should the new exploration plan be approved, new mining would still not take place at the Willow Springs or expanded Frenchy Pit locations, as the proposed activities are strictly for exploration. Any proposal to mine at these locations would be subject to a separate environmental review and approval process.