A Bandon couple has appealed the Coos County’s approval of a chromite mining operation.

A notice of intent to appeal was filed on Monday with the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals in Salem, according to Kelly Burgess, a paralegal with LUBA.

The appeal was of the county commissioners’ approval of the Planning Commission’s decision to allow a conditional use permit for the mining operation. It was filed by Bandon Woodlands Community Association members, David and Sharon Comden, with support from other property owners and association members, according to a Community Association press release.

Burgess said county commissioners will have 21 days to submit the local record of the their decision. Then, the petitioners will have 14 days to file an objection to the record, or 21 days to file a brief.

After that, commissioners will have 21 additional days to file a responding brief.

A hearing is normally held approximately two to three weeks after the response brief, Burgess said, noting that an average appeal process lasts between four to six months.

Burgess said the chromite mining company, Oregon Resources Corp., can operate during the appeal process unless a motion for stay is filed and approved by LUBA.

Earlier this month, county commissioners approved a Planning Commission decision to allow the conditional use permit, making way for chromite mining on five sites between Charleston and Bandon that are zoned mixed use forest. At that time, commissioners denied an earlier appeal filed by the Comdens against the commission’s decision.