Neighbors claim the operation’s constant humming sound has led to sleep disruptions, hearing problems, and falling property values. Some say they now suffer from tinnitus and permanent hearing damage.
A petition drive to incorporate Mitchell Bend as a town, which would allow local ordinances to regulate the mine, was dismissed last week by County Judge Ron Massingill.
He said the petition did not meet the state requirement of 50 registered voters. Residents subsequently submitted a second petition before the Aug. 18 deadline in hopes of securing a spot on the November ballot.
Shannon Wolf, a precinct chair with the local Republican Party, criticized what she described as a lack of notice from county officials about the rejection of the first petition and the deadline for resubmission.
If the second attempt fails, residents say they are prepared to pursue their case legally, potentially to the state’s highest court.
Alongside the incorporation push, some residents have joined other lawsuits targeting Marathon for its operations in the state.
Climate advocacy group Earthjustice has filed an injunction over alleged health and environmental harms, while local residents have retained a personal injury attorney to represent claims of medical issues and lost property value.
Cheryl Shadden, a nearby resident who has been outspoken against the mine, said her group weighed its options and concluded only lawsuits or incorporation could give them real leverage.
Officials with Massingill’s office and Marathon Digital did not respond to requests for comment.
