Locals tour granite mine

On October 12, a group of citizens joined Senator Ronnie Sabb for a tour of a granite quarry in Jefferson. The trip was planned by Sabb who wished to learn about mining in light of a purposed limestone quarry in the Earles community.

“For me, this is a part of my education, getting to understand this particular industry and how it works,” said Sabb to the crowd. “I’ve heard from all sides of the issue. I think that we’ve got to follow the facts continuously regardless of whether we’re dealing with the VC Summer and the nuclear debacle or whatever it is we’re dealing with. To me it’s all about the facts.” He said one of the things he intends to do is understand the good, the bad, and the ugly so that he can be in a position that he can talk intelligently to folks about the issue. “I think it’s important for all of us to experience.”

In August, a crowd who opposes the proposed quarry in Earles attended a Williamsburg County Council meeting, where residents spoke out on the issue. The land purchased from residents was initially slated for a sod farm; however, limestone was discovered during irrigation tests.

The tour group, which included citizens who live at or near the purposed quarry, spent the day at the site owned by American Materials Company (AMC), the company that will purchase the Earles site if DHEC approves three permits (mining, air, water) are needed to begin production. Williamsburg County Councilmembers and others from the community were invited to attend.

According to DHEC, South Carolina has about 500 active mine operating permits; 11 of those are limestone mines. South Carolina mining is regulated by the S.C. Mining Act, S.C. Code, which ensures that all land and water associated with mining activity receive a practical degree of protection and restoration. DHEC is authorized to issue permits for mine operations and ensure that mines comply with laws and regulations.

Guests sat through an intensive question and answer period, where many questions and rumors were addressed. Sabb said some of the residents that he has spoken to question what will happen to the property if something happens to the mining company.

AMC President Tim Vizzels explained that there is a reclamation plan in place before DHEC approves the site. “We’ve got to put a bond out, in case our company, in 10, 15, 20 years, goes out of business or goes bankrupt, there’s a bond in place for somebody else to come in and reclaim the property,” said Vizzels adding that mining in the mid-century got a bad reputation. “They’d mine somewhere and they’d leave equipment there. DHEC won’t let us do that. Most states won’t let you do that.”

The group was also assured that the scope of the mine would not change. “The permit area is 968 acres and 20 plus years of reserves, so I think that’s a pretty good start as far as giving the total picture,” said an official with AMC. He said seven acres would be mined per year.

The actual pit would encompass 400 acres, with 30 acres for the processing plant and the remaining will include buffers, berms and wetlands preservation. “Now, you never discount that fact that you may add on properties that may come available, that’s just the reality of the industry but what we’ve told folks is our best understanding.”

According to a summary published by the Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal and Economic Public Studies, Input-Output analysis reveals that each job in the aggregates industry supports an additional 4.87 jobs throughout the economy. Each dollar of earnings (i.e., wages) creates another $4.19 of earnings in other sectors, and each dollar of sales in the industry produces another $3.47 of sales in other industries.

Vizzells said when the mining operation is complete, the community will have a lake that is slopped around the edges and grass will replace equipment. “It will go back to a useful property and not left as a big scar.” In addition, a reclamation report is required by DHEC every year. DHEC also makes unannounced inspection during the year.

The Jefferson mine is a granite quarry, which differs from the Earles’ purposed marine limestone quarry. The Earles mine will be 50 to 60 feet deep, compared to the Jefferson mine, which is 300 feet deep. The blasts, according to Vizzell will be much smaller as well. Neighbors will be notified before a blast, which only occurs at mid-day. Limestone is used to produce Portland cement, an aggregate in concrete and asphalt, and in other products.

Mining Safety and Health Administration and the ATF regulate blasting. Blasting does not use dynamite as an explosive. The aluminum material that is used cannot be detonated without a blasting cap. The materials are not stored onsite. Officials said the Earles purposed site would experience a blast once a week during the middle of the day and not during the weekend. Neighbors will be notified prior to a blast.

Other concerns were citizens’ wells drying up. According to AMC officials, the company is responsible for keeping the water table at the top of the limestone within the property boundary.

They said well monitoring will keep the water level at regulated levels and if a well dries up the company will be responsible for re-drilling the well or connect the resident’s house to a public water supply if one is available.

The company also conducts a well inventory of homes within a half-mile area of the purposed pit and includes the information in the DHEC application.

Part of the tour included an actual blast. The group described a slight vibration and the sound of the explosion compared to that of a rifle being fired. Sabb lingered; his concern was the dust generated by the granite. “What I’m curious about it, though this is a deeper mine - the less dust. The shallower the mine, I think, the more dust. So I don’t think I got a realistic view of how much dust comes from a 50-foot mine verses that one (Jefferson) which is about 150 feet,” said Sabb.

He also took into account limestone will have more moister in it and the size of the blast will be smaller.

Jeremy Mitchell has lived in the Trio area all his life. After touring the facility, he believes a quarry in the area won’t be a bad thing. “No mam’, not really, because you have a lot of older folks that live in the community that was worried about it but after seeing today, what it’s really about, I think they shouldn’t have any concerns about it,” said Mitchell.

Kingstree resident, Carus Epps sees the mine as an opportunity for locals. “There will be more jobs for the local people because they wouldn’t have to leave,” said Epps who is a long distance truck driver. “A lot of them have kids and they rarely spend time with them because they are working away from home. And the job industry would grow and help the county a whole lot.”

Coastal Conservation League, North Coast Director Erin Pate has been monitoring the matter. “I think that it’s commendable that the senator and others are interested in finding out more about mining,” said Pate, adding. “We will obviously be evaluating the mining’s impact on - not just the local community - but the environment and the water that exists around the site.” Pate said the Coastal Conservation League does have some concerns and they are paying attention. “

As we get closer to the time for the public hearing that DHEC will hold, that we’ll be present and commenting about the permit application.” She said she would like to join the next fact-finding mission.

Sabb said though ultimately the decision will rest with DHEC - being informed is key. “We don’t know which way DHEC will go but we will be in a position, I think, once we educate ourselves as a community, to deal with the realities of the situation and make the best of it.”