Filmmaker to document phosphate mining
Los Angeles filmmaker Erik E. Crown has been in DeSoto County and other central Florida locations to document phosphate mining and the possible health risks that it poses, Crown said in a visit to Arcadia on Monday. A freelance producer associated with documentary films on illegal pet exports and environmental issues, Crown is investigating potential health risks such as emphysema, radiation exposure, waterway contamination and cancers linked to phosphate mining, he said. His interests stem from social media posts from locals opposing phosphate mining in central Florida. Crown plans to release a feature-length documentary on phosphate mining that’s timed to major film festivals, he said. Phosphate giant Mosaic Fertilizer seeks to mine nearly 25,000 acres in DeSoto County, has multiple mining and processing operations throughout Florida.