Blue Diamond Mine

An on-site processing plant was added in 1941, followed a year later by the construction of a nearby company town, known as Blue Diamond, Nevada.

In 1924, the Blue Diamond company of Los Angeles purchased a 1,000-acre site for $75,000, and began mining its large deposit of gypsum.

[6] The initial production capacity was approximately 200 tons per day, a figure that was gradually increased with equipment improvements.

[13] In 2002, BPB agreed to purchase James Hardie's gypsum factory, located at the bottom of Blue Diamond Hill.

[14][15][16] Meanwhile, John Laing Homes was planning a purchase of approximately 2,000 acres atop Blue Diamond Hill, part of James Hardie's mining operation.

[15][17] John Laing planned to build a residential community on the land, but later withdrew its proposal amid opposition.

[11] Rhodes' residential project received opposition, and he resumed gypsum mining on his property around 2011, while still trying to get the housing proposal approved.