The Carmelita Mine and Reclamation Project has been given approval by the Fresno County Planning Commission.
The Carmelita Project would mine gravel in an area east of Sanger and north of Reedley.
The project was approved by the planning commissioners in a 6-to-1 vote following a 5-hour hearing in downtown Fresno on Thursday.
Those against the project are concerned about traffic and pollution. They will have 15 days to file an appeal. After that stage, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors will vote on the project.