Almost two dozen people attended a meeting Thursday at the old Sardis School house in north Jefferson County, in part of an effort to prevent a nearby mine from expanding.

The meeting was organized by Peggy Harris, who has filed papers opposing the expansion of the mine south of Sardis Road; and Clay Ragsdale, an attorney whose practice includes environmental law cases.

Harris has complained to the Alabama Surface Mining Commission (ASMC) about the mine operated by Black Warrior Minerals, saying that blasting at the facility is causing damage to her house and property. Thursday’s meeting was an effort to find out who else was being adversely affected by mine operations.

Ragsdale was in attendance to talk about specific problems that individual landowners might have. He conferred with individuals afterward on a one-on-one basis.

Ragsdale said that the commission had started the process of granting the revision to Black Warrior Minerals’ permit, which would increase the acreage allowed for mining. An informal conference was held at the ASMC office in Jasper several weeks ago, during which opponents can voice their concerns. Ragsdale said there were some irregularities in how that conference was conducted.

Neither Ragsdale nor Harris would comment on the record about what legal recourse they might take if the expansion was approved.