MEXICO CITY, May 22 (Reuters) -

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Wednesday

ruled out the expropriation of U.S. construction company Vulcan

Materials' ( VMC ) mine but added that land where it operates would

remain closed until at least the end of his term.

Speaking at his regular press conference, Lopez Obrador

accused the company, which extracts limestone in southern part

of the country, of environmental damage. The company has denied

these accusations.