The neighbouring inhabitants of Santa Clarita Valley, the site in the United States where Mexican Cemex plans to begin operating a 69Mt sand and gravel mine in 2008, are campaigning to stop the cement maker’s mega-mining project in Soledad Canyon, alleging that it could adversely impact protected species in the Santa Clara River. 
 
Also the city has consistently said the cement maker’s mining water demands will frequently draw water from the Santa Clara River at the project site and negatively impact local fish, wildlife and plants. 
 
In response, Cemex launched a Web site accessible through its main US site, devoted to descriptions of the planned Soledad Canyon mine.