Calica (SAC TUN) Triumphs in Legal Battle for Protected Areas

Calica, a subsidiary of Vulcan Materials, has won a lawsuit over a legal dispute involving a Protected Natural Area in the southern zone of Playa del Carmen.

Calica, now known as SAC-TUN, is owned and controlled by Vulcan Materials Company, a leading U.S. producer of construction aggregates. Vulcan Materials acquired full ownership of the Calica quarry in 2001, purchasing the remaining interest from its joint venture partner, Grupo ICA.

Established in 1986 near Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo, Mexico, Calica (SAC-TUN) operates one of the largest limestone quarries in the Americas. The site encompasses approximately 2,400 hectares and includes a deep-water port at Punta Venado, facilitating the export of crushed limestone to various markets, primarily along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

The Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) had sued Calica (SAC-TUN) for construction work in the newly protected areas of El Corchalito and La Adelita. The dispute began in May 2018, during the administration of Enrique Peña Nieto. At the time, PROFEPA alleged that SAC-TUN had exceeded the authorized level of material extraction.

The primary material sourced at SAC-TUN is high-quality limestone, which is extracted and processed into construction aggregates such as crushed stone, sand, and gravel. These materials are essential for various construction projects, including roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, and concrete structures.

The limestone from SAC-TUN serves industrial purposes, contributing to the production of cement and other building materials. The facility’s strategic location and deep-water port at Punta Venado enable efficient export of these aggregates to markets along the U.S. Gulf Coast and the Caribbean.

Representatives for SAC-TUN insisted that they had complied with all permits and had properly documented their operations. They argued that the government’s actions were infringing on their rights as a foreign investor.

Representatives have also been quick to point out that SAC-TUN has been recognized for its environmental and social responsibility efforts. The company has received Mexico’s “Clean Industries” certificate multiple times over the past two decades, acknowledging its commitment to environmental performance. Additionally, SAC-TUN is a significant employer in the region, providing jobs to over 450 employees and contributing to the local economy.

In 2022, PROFEPA managed to close the El Corchalito and La Adelita properties, which prolonged the case. In response, SAC-TUN filed a protective lawsuit with the Fourth District Court. Initially, the court rejected the lawsuit, but on a recent Monday, it ruled in favor of SAC-TUN.

This new ruling allows SAC-TUN to continue its operations without interruption from the new administrative process until a final resolution is reached.

In the most recent legal action against SAC-TUN, filed in September 2024, the Federal government declared over 53,000 hectares in Quintana Roo, including all of SAC-TUN’s operational areas, a Natural Protected Area. This action effectively expropriated the land, leading Vulcan Materials to announce intentions to pursue legal measures to defend its interests.