Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240118_Attachment_A ATTACHMENT A Kings Mountain Mine-East Permit Number 23-01 Additional Information MODIFICATION HISTORY • April 1, 1999: Corporate name change from Cypress Foote Mineral Company to Chemetall Foote Corporation. Changes to reclamation plan in conformance to update Mine Map dated November 1998 and corresponding Mine Remediation Plan dated November 20, 1998,with stipulation that a detailed status report on the permanent disposal of radioactive waste onsite as provided by the January 8,1997 letter from the Department shall be submitted by April 16, 1999. • February 27,2001: Modification to approve the closure of the radioactive mining refuse disposal activity on the site,with specific conditions. • May 31,2002:Modification to reduce the affected acreage to 9.6 acres and the permitted acreage to 830.21 acres as indicated on the mine map dated January 16, 2002, and the Chemetall Foote Kings Mountain Operations Plant Boundaries map dated March 2002, the modification changed the operation from an industrial mineral mine to a sand tailing mine, resulting in permit condition changes. Lastly,a partial release of 141.70 acres was approved. • December 18,2002: Permit modified to reduce permitted and affected to 626.01 acres and 0.00 acres respectively, (as indicated on the Property Boundaries Map dated November 12, 2002) by splitting this mining permit int two separate mining permits.The two mining permits will be referred to as Kings Mountain Mine -East (Mining Permit No. 23-10) and Kings Mountain -West (Mining Permit No. 23-34). The modification changed the operation from a sand tailing mine back to an industrial mineral mine and the status of the site to inactive. • May 2,2005:Partial release of 5.0 acres, as indicated on the mine map dated January 25, 20055 brining the permitted acreage to 621.21 acres. • February 14, 2013: Inactive renewal of the mine permit and corporate name change from Chemetall Foote Corporation to Rockwood Lithium, Inc. • July 26,2017:Increased affected acreage to 3.5 acres including 1.0 acre for access roads and 2.5 acres for drill pads and laydown and support areas. All disturbed areas to be protected with appropriate erosion and sediment control devices. • December 1,2017:Permit issued for life of the site. • April 20, 2018: Increased affected acreage to 7.5 acres by addition of 4.0 acres for Phase 2 exploratory drilling activities, including 2.0 acres for access roads and 2.0 acres for drill pads and laydown and support areas. All disturbed areas to be protected with appropriate erosion and sediment control devices. • June 16, 2023: Increase affected acreage to 18.5 acres for exploration drilling activities for 2022 and 2023 to include drill pads,access roads,and laydown areas.All disturbed areas to be protected with appropriate erosion and sediment control devices. All areas affected must be seeded and mulched after completion of activities. PROPOSED MODIFICATION The proposed modification increases the affected acreage to 189.90 acres. Modifications include drill pad access roads, drill pads, various utility demolitions and installations, road realignments, clearing of vegetative overgrowth for safety, laydown areas, dewatering facilities for the pit lake, and security fencing. Details of each specific component are found below in response to Item C.1. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MINE 2.Name of all materials mined: Mining of materials within the East Permit Boundary was halted in the 1980's and no mining has occurred since that date.Although areas around the mine pit(uplands)and the mine pit(lake)have been included in the affected area for this modification, no further mining activities are proposed. These areas have been included for vegetative overgrowth clearing in the upland areas and placement of dewatering facilities.The pit lake is proposed to be dewatered and is included as part of the affected area. In addition,test blasting will be conducted in the mine pit lake area. 3.Mining Method: No mining of any materials will be conducted with this modification. C. PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES 1. Describe in detail the sequence of events for development of the mine and reference the sequence to the Mine Map(s).Attach additional sheets as necessary. • Drill Pad Access Roads and Drill Pads:The affected area would include an additional 5.49 acres of disturbance for drill pad access roads(30 ft in width)and 1.10 acres for drill pads(40 ft X 80 ft). Specific locations may vary based on site conditions such as slope and heavy vegetative cover. All disturbed areas will be protected by appropriate erosion and sediment control devices. • Natural Gas Line Removal (Demo):A natural gas line currently supplies natural gas to facilities within the Kings Mountain area with an 8"diameter buried distribution line.This gas line has been determined to be redundant and conflicts with potential future development. The line will be decommissioned, purged, and removed. Approximately 2660 linear feet of gas line is to be removed in the East Permit boundary.An approximately 20 ft corridor will be required for equipment to remove the utility for a disturbance of 1.22 acres.Prior to removal activities,silt fencing and straw waddles will be installed along the length of the corridor.After removal of the line,the area will be backfilled and seeded.Erosion and sediment control devices will be removed once vegetative cover is established. • Natural Gas Line Reroute(installation):A new gas line will be installed to replace the existing gas line that is scheduled for removal (demo). A portion of the new gas line will cross the East Mine permit boundary. Approximately 1946 linear feet of 8" gas line will be installed. An approximately 20 ft corridor will be required for activities for a disturbance of 0.90 acres. Prior to installation activities, silt fencing and straw waddles will be installed along the length of the corridor.A trench will be excavated,and the line installed and backfilled with approximately 2 ft of cover and seeded. Erosion and sediment control devices will be removed once vegetative cover is established. • Sewer Line Removal (Demo): A 4" buried sewer line runs within of the East Mine permit boundaries. This line is to be abandoned and rerouted to another location. Decommissioning will involve the removal of all waste from the line prior to removal to prevent spills of sewage into the surrounding landscape.Approximately 1179 linear feet of line will be removed.A 20 ft corridor will be established for the removal activities resulting in 0.54 acres of disturbance. Prior to removal activities, silt fencing and straw waddles will be installed along the length of the corridor. After removal of the line, the area will be backfilled and seeded. Erosion and sediment control devices will be removed once vegetative cover is established. • Sewer Line Reroute (Installation): Portions of the sewer line reroute will be within the East Mine permit boundaries. Approximately 553 linear feet of 4" new sewer line will be installed. An approximately 20 ft corridor will be required for activities for a disturbance of 0.25 acres. Prior to installation activities,silt fencing and straw waddles will be installed along the length of the corridor. A trench will be excavated,and the line installed and backfilled with approximately 2 ft of cover and seeded. Erosion and sediment control devices will be removed once vegetative cover is established. • 44kV Electrical Distribution Line Removal(Demo):A 44 kV line crosses portions of the East Mine permit boundary. Structures and lines are to be removed. Silt fencing and straw waddles will be used at each structure location for equipment to remove the structures and electrical line. An approximately 70 ft corridor will be needed for equipment to remove structures and lines.The length of the 44kV line removal within the East Mine permit boundary is 10,426 linear feet for a disturbance area of 16.75 acres. Erosion and sediment control devices will be removed once vegetative cover is established. • 44kV Electrical Distribution Line Reroute(installation):The 44kV line will be rerouted around the perimeter of Albemarle owned property with portions crossing within the East Mine permit boundary. An approximately 70 ft corridor will be needed for equipment to erect structures and install electrical lines. The length of the 44kV line route within the East Mine permit boundary is 8272 linear feet for a disturbance area of 13.29 acres.There will be 16 tower structures within the East Mine permit boundary for the 44kV line with each tower pad being approximately 50 ft X 50 ft in size. Prior to installation activities,silt fencing and straw waddles will be installed along the length of the corridor. Erosion and sediment control devices will be removed once vegetative cover has been established. • 44kV Electrical Distribution Line Access Roads(Installation): Several access roads to tower pad locations will be necessary to access the corridor. Geotechnical borings will be conducted at several of these tower locations for foundation analysis.Approximately 0.37 acres of access roads (15 ft in width)will be disturbed,Appropriate erosion and sediment control,such as silt fencing and straw waddles, will be installed along the proposed roadway prior to disturbance. Erosion and sediment control devices will be removed once vegetative cover has been established. • Fiber Optic Line Installation: A fiber optic line will be installed from the communication base location to the primary tower to provide for site wide private communications and data transfer. Approximately 822 linear feet of fiber optic line will be installed.An approximately 10 ft corridor will be required for the installation for a disturbance of 0.19 acres.A trench will be excavated, and the line installed and backfilled with 2 ft of cover and seeded, Prior to installation activities, silt fencing and straw waddles will be installed along the length of the corridor. Erosions and sediment control devices will be removed once vegetative cover has been established. • Screening Berm:A screening berm is proposed in the northwest corner of the East Mine permit boundary to provide visual screening from the mine site.The berm will be approximately 6 ft high and 38 ft at the base and 2 ft at the top with slopes approximately 3H:1 V. The area of disturbance is approximately 0.26 acres.Prior to construction,appropriate erosion and sediment control devices will be installed.The berm will be grassed,and erosion and sediment control devices will remain in place until vegetative cover is established. • Entrance Road Realignment: The mine entrance road will be realigned as identified on the Mine Map(s).The realignment will be approximately 1725 linear feet and 30 ft wide for a disturbance of area of 1.19 acres. Prior to construction, appropriate erosion and sediment control devices will be installed.The area will be cleared and then grassed. Future improvements,which are not a part of this modification will occur at a later date. Erosion and sediment control devices will be removed once vegetative cover has been established. • Communication Tower Base:Five(5)communication tower base pads(10 ft X 10 ft)will be cleared (0.01 acre)to establish a communication network throughout the mine area and other Albemarle owned properties. • ROM Pad Laydown Area:Clearing for the ROM pad laydown will affect approximately 29.90 acres. This area will be used for future staging and storage of equipment for construction purposes for future development of the site. Prior to construction, appropriate erosion and sediment control devices will be installed and the area grassed. Future development of this area will be conducted under a separate permit modification at a later date. Erosion and sediment control devices will be removed once vegetative cover has been established. • Mine Pit Disturbance (Uplands): The area around the existing mine pit as identified on the Mine Map(s)is overgrown with vegetation(trees and shrubs)and is considered a danger for access and work activities. It is proposed that this area be cleared of overgrowth and then seeded to provide herbaceous vegetative cover allowing for ease of access and erosion and sediment control. Prior to clearing, erosion and sediment control devices will be installed and remain in place during clearing and seeding and will remain in place until vegetative cover has been established. This area occupies approximately 50.09 acres. Portions of this area will be utilized for the mine pit lake dewatering facilities(2.10 acres)and the Test Blasting activities.These areas have been identified on the Mine Map(s). No mining of resources is proposed under this modification. • Mine Pit Disturbance(Lake):The mine pit lake(approximately 45.08 acres) has been included in the affected acreage for this modification. No mining of resources is proposed under this modification.The pit lake will be dewatered as a part of the early works program for future use. In addition, as dewatering occurs, benches within the mine pit will be exposed which will be used for the Test Blasting activities. • Dewaterin_g Pipeline:A dewatering pipeline will be placed within the existing roadway as indicated on the Mine Map(s).This pipeline is being placed in anticipation of future dewatering of the existing Mine Pit Lake. No additional disturbance will result from this activity. • Security Fence:A security fence will be installed along portions of the East Mine permit boundary as identified on the Mine Map(s).Clearing for fence installation will be approximately 20 ft in width. Approximately 5.50 acres will be disturbed. The security fence will be used as the safety fence for reclamation. Prior to disturbance the fence footprint will be lined with silt fences and straw waddles for erosion and sediment control and left in place until after fence installation and removed once vegetative cover is established. The following provides a summary of the new disturbance: ACTIVITY DISTURBANCE Ac Drill Pad Access Roads 5.49 Drill Pads 1.10 Gas Line Demo 1.22 Gas Line Install 0.89 Sewer Line Demo 0.54 Sewer Line Install 0.25 44kV Line Demo 16.75 44kV Line Install 13.29 44kV Line Access Roads 0.37 Fiber Optic Line Install 0.19 Screening Berm 0.26 Entrance Road Realignment 1.19 Communication Tower Base 0.01 ROM Pad La down Area 29.90 Mine Pit(Uplands) 50.09 Mine Pit Lake 45.08 Dewatering Pipeline 0.00 Security Fence 5.50 TOTAL 172.12 2. Describe the specific erosion control measures to be installed prior to land disturbing activities and during mining to prevent offsite sedimentation (include speck plans for sediment and erosion control for mine excavation(s), waste piles, access/mine roads, and process areas), and give a detailed sequence of installation and schedule for maintenance of the measures. Locate and label all sediment and erosion control measures on the mine map(s) and provide typical cross-sections/construction details of each measure. Engineering designs and calculations are required to justify the adequacy of any proposed measures: No mining of materials is proposed with this modification. Similar to previous drilling activities modifications(July 25,2017,April 23,2018,and June 16,2023),appropriate erosion and sediment control measures will be implemented based on the location of the drill pads, access path (road), utility demolitions and relocates, and support areas. Erosion and sediment control measures are as follows: Type A: Adjacent to Wetland or Stream: For those disturbance areas adjacent to wetlands or streams, a combination of silt fence and straw wattles or hay bales will be installed on the downstream side of the disturbed area to prevent sediment from entering wetlands or streams. On sloped areas, a combination of silt fence and straw wattles or hay bales may also be installed on the upstream side to allow run off to bypass(go around)the disturbed area. Type B: Not Adjacent to Wetland or Streams: For those disturbance areas located in an area that is distant from waters of the State, but where slopes and topography could cause runoff in the direction of water of the State. Straw wattles or hay bales will be installed on the down slope side of the disturbed areas to prevent erosion and sedimentation across the landscape.On significantly sloped areas,erosion and sediment control measures may also be installed on the upslope side of the disturbed areas to attenuate runoff from upslope areas from entering the area of disturbance. Type C: Internal Drainage:These disturbed areas are not connected to State waters and drain to existing internal features such as the abandoned mine pit and other man-made impoundments. No erosion or sediment control devices are proposed for these areas. Typical details of these Types are provided on the attached Mine Map(s). Erosion and sediment control measures for the utility demolitions and relocations include silt screens and straw waddles along the corridors to be placed prior to work efforts.These measures will remain in place until a vegetative cover is established. Erosion and sediment control measures for laydown areas and other facilities will also include silt screens and straw waddles at the disturbance limits and will remain in place until a vegetative cover is established. All erosion and sediment control designs are consistent with the requirements of the North Carolina Sedimentation and Pollution Control Act and Administrative Rules. 3.B)Will the operation involve discharging fresh or wastewater from the mine or plant as a point discharge to the waters of the State.YES. The mine pit lake is proposed to be dewatered for future mine expansion. Mining of resources and pit expansion will be conducted under a future modification and no mining of resources is proposed with this modification. Pit water will be pumped from the mine pit and treated and then pumped through HDPE pipe to South Creek Reservoir(which is located in the West Mine Permit Area Permit 23-34) and then discharged to Kings Creek. The dewatering pipeline will be laid along existing roadways and no further disturbance(clearing)will be required. The proposed dewatering of the mine pit lake is estimated to take between 18 to 24 months based on the volume of water contained in the pit at a maximum discharge rate of 3500 gallons per minute (gpm). Actual discharge rates are estimated to average 2000 gpm, due to downtime for maintenance, rainfall events and upstream discharges to Kings Creek from an adjacent mining operation (Martin Marietta Kings Mountain Quarry). Figure 1 provides a timeline of mine pit surface water levels at a pumping rate of 2000 gpm. Groundwater flow into the mine pit lake is minimal based on Albemarle's extensive groundwater monitoring. It is estimated that groundwater inflow into the pit once dewatered will be approximately 150 gpm. Impacts to adjacent domestic, commercial, and industrial users is not anticipated from the dewatering activities. In an effort to provide reasonable assurance that protection of the environment and in response to community concerns, Albemarle determined that treatment may be desirable at various times during the dewatering process for hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Notably, neither of these analytes have NCDEQ Class C standards. Treatment for hydrogen sulfide will mitigate potential odor concerns and treatment for ammonia will mitigate potential aquatic life impacts. An Individual NPDES permit application was submitted to NCDEQ in November 2022. NCDEQ assigned permit application number NC0090212. The application and subsequent requests for additional information addressed groundwater inflows, discharge rates, water quality, and treatment conditions. Status of the application is Complete with draft permit issuance in early February 2024. NCDEQ contact for the permit is Doug Dowden(douo dowdenemcdenr.00v). 3.C)Will any part of the proposed mine excavation(s)extend below the water table? YES If,yes, do you intend to dewater the excavation(s)?YES Estimated withdrawal rate in gallons per day: 3500gpmx60m/hourx24hour-5,040,000.00 gpd (MAX). If yes,what impact if any,will mine dewatering have on neighboring wells? Locate all wells on the mine map(s)that lie within 500 feet of the proposed excavation area. Provide data to support any conclusions or statement made, including any monitoring well data, well construction data, and current water withdrawal rates. Indicate whether the proposed mine local is served by a public water supply system of private wells. A groundwater well survey was performed by AECOM within the vicinity of the project in 2022.The scope of the survey consisted of the following: • Determine the sources(s) of municipal water supply near the site. • Review publicly available information on public and private water supply wells within four (4) miles of the site, including online databases and historic reports that included receptor surveys. • Conduct a drive-by of properties within two (2) miles of the site using Google Streetview (GSV). Publicly available databases(such as the Source Water Assessment Program(SWAP),Cleveland County well construction and water sampling records, and historic environmental sampling reports were reviewed. Approximately 260 potential well locations were identified and categorized as either suspected or confirmed. Of the 260 well locations, 56 were confirmed (Figure 2). Locations are based on parcel data and may not reflect exact coordinates. The closest wells within 500 ft of the pit lake are all on Albemarle owned property and no impacts to wells outside of the Albemarle owned property are anticipated. The area around the East Mine site is primarily Albemarle owned or controlled land. Those areas around the East Mine that are not owned or controlled by Albemarle is served by the City of Kings Mountain water supply system. Figure 3 provides an estimate of the 5-foot drawdown contour for the pit dewatering. Though community wells have been identified, it is unclear if those wells are in use.Water level mitigation may be triggered if water levels outside the predicted maximum 5-ft drawdown demonstrate a decreasing trend. Trend analysis will be conducted using appropriate statistical methods for the dataset.Additionally, if water level drawdown at any location exceeds expected drawdown, water level mitigation may be triggered. Further investigation will be conducted to determine whether decreasing trends or excess drawdown are the result of changes in precipitation;changes in nearby water use patterns(such as reduction in outflow from the nearby Martin Marietta quarry);or impacts from the pit dewatering. If pit dewatering is determined to be the cause of the decrease in groundwater levels, mitigation will be undertaken. Mitigation may consist of deepening existing community wells, drilling deeper community wells or providing alternative water to individuals (municipality supply system). 5. B) A minimum 50-foot-wide undisturbed buffer will be required between any land disturbing activities within the mining permit boundaries and any natural watercourses and wetlands unless smaller undisturbed buffers can be justified.Depending on site conditions, a buffer wider than 50 feet may be needed. How wide an undisturbed buffer will be maintained between any land disturbing activities with the mining permit boundaries and any natural watercourses and wetlands at the site? Show all buffer locations and widths on the mine map(s): There are no buffer requirements for the Broad River basin. Cleveland County, and the City of Kings Mountain also do not have a buffer requirement. Albemarle has proposed a 50-foot buffer between disturbed areas and natural watercourses and wetlands and is shown on the Mine Map(s). A 25-foot buffer is proposed between disturbed areas and man-made impoundments as these areas are primarily internal drainage with no discharge to Waters of the State. In addition, robust sediment and erosion control devices will be utilized for further protection of water resources.All erosion and sediment control designs are consistent with the requirements of the North Carolina Sedimentation and Pollution Control Act and Administrative Rules. No wetland impacts are proposed with this modification. 11.Will explosives be used?YES If yes, specify the types of explosive(s) and describe what precaution(s) will be used to prevent physical hazard to persons or neighboring property from flying rocks or excessive air blasts or ground vibrations.Depending on the mine's location to nearby structures,more detailed technical information may be required on the blasting program (such as a third- party blasting study). Locate the nearest offsite occupied structure to the proposed excavation(s) on the mine map and indicate its approximate distance to the proposed excavation. Albemarle proposes to conduct test blasting to obtain site specific parameters to calibrate the blasting models and fine tune blast design parameters for each dominant geological domain that occurs. These site-specific parameters will dramatically increase the ability to control associated noise, air/blast,and vibrations as well as efficiency of any future production blasts. No excavation, mining or processing of materials is proposed. Test blasting will be conducted in two (2) phases, A. Single shot test blast and B Multi-hole test blast. The test area will be located within the existing area mine pit(See Mine Maps). The test shots will be conducted in three dominant geological domains: 1. Pegmatite, 2. Silica Mica Schist, 3. Amphibole Gniess-Schcist In each domain two separate tests will be conducted, single hole shot and multi hole shot. Albemarle Corporation will monitor the following during Test shots. 1. Ground vibrations and air blasts levels at different distances around the blast using Seismographs. 2. Burden movement profiles and fly rock distances using high speed videos(300 frames /sec) 3. Blast fragmentation and particle size distribution using image analysis. 4. Muck pile profile using laser scanning. Monitoring Systems will be comprised of the following. 1. 5 to 6 ground vibration and air blast monitoring stations around each trial blast 2. 2-3 high speed video cameras to monitor fly rock and blast movement. Figures 4 and 5 provide shot layout, procedure, and monitoring for the single shot and multi shot tests. 12.Will fuel tanks,solvents,or other chemical reagents be stored on-site?If yes,describe these materials,how they will be stored and method of containment in case of spill. Indicate the location(s)of all storage facilities on the mine map(s). Fuel tanks,solvents,and other chemical reagents are stored in the plant facility that is located within the permit boundary. The plant facility is not a part of any mining associated with the site, but rather receives materials from domestic and international markets for further processing. Detailed locations of fuels tanks,solvents, and other chemical reagents is provided on the Mine Map(s). Appendix A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan provides details of storage and method of containment in the case of a spill. Chemical reagents will also be stored at the dewatering facilities.A detailed site plan showing the location of the stored chemical reagents is provided on the Mine Map(s).The chemical storage area will be contained and have sufficient storage to hold chemicals should a leak occur. D. RECLAMATION PLAN 3:Describe provisions for safety to persons and to adjoining property in all completed excavations in rock including what kind of permanent barricade will be left.Acceptable permanent barricades are appropriate fencing, large boulders placed end-to-end,etc. Constniction details and locations of all permanent barricades must be shown on the reclamation map. Currently the permit area is surrounded by vegetative berms and forested areas. High walls at the mine pit lake are currently surrounded by a locked chain-link security fence.The reclamation plan includes installing a chain-link security fence around the perimeter of the permit boundary except where the permit boundary adjoins the west mine permit boundary.The location of the security fence is provided on the Reclamation Map(s). Impoundments that remain from previous mining activities are gradually sloped(3H:1V or greater)with vegetated wetland fringes. For those areas deeper than 10 ft., permanent access points will be provided.These are shown on the Reclamation Map(s). The screening berm located in the northeast corner of the mine permit boundary will also be left in place at reclamation. (See Reclamation Map(s)). 4.Indicate the method(s)of reclamation of overburden,refuse,spoil banks or other such on-site mine waste areas,including specifications for benching and sloping.Final cross- sections and locations for such areas must be provided on the reclamation map. Mining on the project site was halted in the 1980's and no mining has occurred since that time. Overburden, refuse, spoil banks, and other waste areas slopes are stable. These areas are also heavily vegetated as either forested uplands or herbaceous uplands by natural recruitment. The forested upland community is a mix of deciduous and evergreen forest species including American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), loblolly pine(Pinus taeda), tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), black cherry (Prunus serotina), red maple (Acer rubrum),white oak(Quercus alba),red oak(Quercus rubra),mockernut hickory(Carya tomentosa), and chestnut oak (Quercus montana). Understory species commonly observed in the forested areas are flowering dogwood (Comus flodda), greenbrier(Smilax spp.), blackberry (Rubus spp.), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), and various successional hardwoods (oaks, hickories, sweetgum, maples). The herbaceous upland community consist of non-wetland areas dominated by non-woody vegetation. Dominant herbaceous species include broom-sedge(Andropogon virginicus),wild garliclonion (Alllum spp.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), goldenrod (Solidago spp.), clover (Thfolium spp.), hemp dogbane(Apocynum cannabinum),Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica),American burnweed(Erechtites hieraclifolia),wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), and southern crabgrass(Digitaria ciliaris). These areas are shown on the Reclamation Map(s). 5.A)Describe reclamation of processing facilities,stockpile areas,and on-site roadways. The plant facility,office area, and paved entrance road will be left for future potential users. On- site dirt roadways will be vegetated with native seed material including: Seeding Seeding Seed Mix Type Dates Rates NC Steep Slope Mix(ERNMX-310) all dates 45 Ibs/acre Native Habitat Strip Mine Mix(ERNMX-111) all dates 20 Ibs/acre Native Steep Slope w annual rye(ERNMX- Feb 15-Aug 181) 15 60 Ibs/acre Native Steep Slope w grain rye(ERNMX-181- Aug 15-Feb 2) 16 75 Ibs/acre These areas are shown on the Reclamation Map(s) B)Will any on-site roadways be left as part of the reclamation?if yes,identify such roadways on the reclamation map and provide details on permanent road and ditch line stabilization. The current paved entrance road to the office area and plant facility will remain. Internal dirt roads will be revegetated as indicated in the response above. 6.Describe the method of control of contaminants and disposal of scrap metal,junk machinery,cables,or other such waste products of mining.(Note definition of refuse in The Mining Act of 1971.)No off-site generated waste shall be disposed of on the mine site without prior written approval from the NC Department of Environmental Quality,Division of Energy,Mineral,and Land Resources and either the Division of Waste Management (DWM)or local governing body.If a disposal permit has been issued by DWM for the site, a copy of said permit must be attached to this application.All temporary and permanent refuse disposal areas must be clearly delineated on the mine map(s)and reclamation map, along with a list of items to be disposed in said areas. No mining has been conducted on the East Mine area since the 1980's.All mining related waste has been previously removed from the site and appropriately disposed of. DETERMINATION OF AFFECTED ACREAGE AND BOND Total Reclamation Bond Cost: In lieu of calculation of a specific bond amount as based on disturbance,Albemarle has elected to voluntarily provide a bond in the amount of$1,000,000(the maximum bond amount that could be assessed) to cover reclamation costs associated with the West Mine (Permit 23-24) and the East Mine (Permit 23-01). A copy of the bond is provided as Exhibit 1. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Streams and Wetlands Streams and wetlands have been delineated on all Albemarle owned property including the West Mine permit area. Streams, wetlands, and impoundments are depicted on the Mine Map(s). No impacts are proposed to stream or wetlands. Threatened and Endangered Species This permit modification is a continuance of the modification approved June 16, 2023, to provide for additional drill pads and access roads, utility modifications (demolition and reroutes), and site access. Surveys for listed plant species was conducted on all Albemarle owned property (approximately 1403 acres) including the West Mine permit area in 2022. No listed plant species were observed during presence/absence surveys conducted in 2022. The Tricolored bat was detected during acoustic surveys on the Albemarle owned property in 2022. This species is proposed for endangered status. During the spring, summer, and fall, it primarily roosts among live and dead leave clusters of live and recently dead deciduous hardwoods trees. During winter it hibernates in caves, culverts, and abandoned water wells. Foraging is both in treetops and closer to the ground.Tree removal,as needed,will occur during the October to March timeframe. The proposed activity will not result in a"take"of this species. The Threatened and Endangered species survey report is provided as Appendix B. Cultural Resources An archaeological survey was conducted on all Albemarle owned property which included the West mine permit area. No significant archaeological resources were found during the survey. Pit Lake Level 160 I 160 140 140 Eli 120 v 120 w c 0 100 Io v 80 80 _ m 60 60 v 40 20 20 0 - 0 Jan 2023 Jul 2023 Jan 2024 Jul 2024 Jan 2025 Jul 2025 Jan 2026 Jul 2026 Jan 2027 Date KINGS MOUNTAIN LITNWMMINE UpdaWd IW7rz KI a Figure 1: Statistics for Water Surface Elevation (Probabilistic 2,000 5% - 25%/ 75% 95% "L,j FlRp m'm gallons per minute) 25% - 75% 50% SWCA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS �•.I` :,��� y�eEno', �e . ;14'0610�411 -, y R •. . I,� f .v,='•¢„ice " �� � _ y� « -. ."�i �� a�� /fir • � -I I Legend Figure 2:Well Inventory Date:January 2024 0800 6M Albemarle Owned Property Base map provided by a i ^' ESRI. aeo East Mine Permit Boundary t:ta.ao1 N Nann caroMa o Wells Suspected n • Wells Confirmed N City of Kings Mountain Water Service Area (2020) SWCA Cleveland County,North Carolina FNVIYONMFNi/d CONSUIIDNiS o ° f • , • • 1"Lt' 1 cICCO Single hole tests will be conducted in three lithologies • Burden, explosive charge per hole and Stemming Burden ratios will be varied from • 1 1.5. • Each hole will be separated by sufficient ~ delay time so that ground vibrations and air blast from each hole can be recorded ,e• _ without interference (use electronic dets) • Visible markers will be placed on free face and surface to track their movement in high L speed video. • Test blast will be monitored with multiple By high speed videos 1300 frames/set) to measure burden velocity, surface velocity and fly rock distances . Ground vibration and air blast monitors will be placed at difference distances(150m, 300, 500m and 1000m) from the blast to get the seed wave forms. • This information can be used further to modulate ground vibrations Swface movement marker frequencies. Burden movement marker mt•bum KINGS MOUNTAIN LIiIUM LANE SeeM1tl CmauYenM1 PTY LTO Figure 4: Single Shot Layout, Procedure, and Monitoring UWated"""a°" w.l.n No.mate Layout flsm.a SWCA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS High speed video (300 frames/secl Purpose of multi hole tests is to understand • • the interaction vibrations between holes • There will be blasts with two holes, three • holes and four holes (fired together) °• Visible markers will be placed on free face C ` and surface to track their movement in high speed video. • Test blast will be monitored with multiple y high speed videos(300 frames/ sec) to . 3 measure burden velocity, surface velocity • and fly rock distances . St Ground vibration and air blast monitors will be placed at difference distances (1S0m, 300. 500m and 1000m) from the blast to understand the interaction holes on ground vibrations and fly rock. j-SuAace movement marker B_I den mc;a ment marker LUNGS MOUNTAIN UM MINE peRuemoerainoa .,at Consutten LTD FTY LTD Figure 5: Multi Hole Test Shot Layout, Procedure, and Monitoring Update[IPR7=3 wyoa No.7.TI. Layout Flgun 5 SWCA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS EXHIBIT 1 SURETY RIDER To be attached to and form a part of Bond No. 9250503 dated May 26,2017 effective (MONTH-DAY-YEAR) executed by Albemarle U.S.Inc. as Principal, (PRINCIPAL.) and by Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland ,as Surety, in favor of State of North Carolina (OBLIGEE) in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained the Principal and the Surety hereby consent to changing The Bond Amount from: One Hundred Seventy-one Thousand Nine Hundred&00/100($171,900.00) To: One Minion&001100($1,000,000.00) Nothing herein contained shall vary,alter or extend any provision or condition of this bond except as herein expressly stated. This rider December 14,2022 is effective (MONTH-DAY-YEAR) Signed and Sealed December 14,2022 (MONTH-DAY-YEAR) Albemarle U.S.Inc. By: (PRINCIPAL) Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland (SURE Sa h ajor,Attomeydn-Fact 11w L4 S-04431GEEF 10199 ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY COLONIAL AMERICAN CASUALTY AND SURETY COMPANY FIDELITY AND DEPOSIT COMPANY OF MARYLAND POWER OF ATTORNEY ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:That the ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY,a corporation of the State of New die COLONIAL AMERICAN CASUALTY AND SURETY COMPANY,a corporation of the State of Illinois,and the FIDELITY D DEPOSIT COMPANY OF MARYLAND a corporation of the State of Illinois (herein collectively called the "Companies"), by Robert D.Murray,Vice President,in pursuance of authority granted by Article V,Section 8,of the By-Laws of said Companies,which are set forth on the reverse side hereof and are hereby certified m be in full force and effect on the date hereof,do hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint Sarah Major _ , its true and lawful agent and Attomey-in-Fact,to make,execute,seal and deliver,for,and on its behalf as surety,and as its act and deed: any and all bonds and undertakings,and the execution of such bonds or undertakings in pursuance of these presents,shall be as binding upon said Companies, as fully and amply,to all intents and purposes,as if they had been duly executed and acknowledged by the regularly elected officers of the ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY at its office in New York,New York.,the regularly elected officers of the COLONIAL AMERICAN CASUALTY AND SURETY COMPANY at its office in Owings Mills, Maryland.,and the regularly elected officers of the FIDELITY AND DEPOSIT COMPANY OF MARYLAND at its office in Owings Mills, Maryland.,in their own proper persons. The said Vice President does hereby certify that the extract set forth on the reverse side hereof is a true copy of Article V,Section 8,of the By-Laws of said Companies,and is now in force. IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the said Vice.President has hereunto subscribed his/her names and affixed the Corporate Seals of the said ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, COLONIAL AMERICAN CASUALTY AND SURETY COMPANY, and FIDELITY AND DEPOSIT COMPANY OF MARYLAND,this I I th day of July,A.D.2019. 0� ATTEST: ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY COLONIAL AMERICAN CASUALTY AND SURETY COMPANY FIDELITY AND DEPOSIT COMPANY OF MARYLAND By., Robert D.Murray Vice President !`)�zsv,� �'. �-,i}tie,>• ._ By., Dawn E.Brown Secretary State of Maryland County of Baltimore On this I lth day of July, A.D.2019, before the subscriber,a Notary Public of the State of Maryland,duly commissioned and qualified,Robert D. Murray,Vice President and Dawn E.Brown,Secretary of the Companies,to me personally known to be the individuals and officers described in and who executed the preceding instrument,and acknowledged the execution of same,and being by me duly swum,deposeth and mith,that he/she is the said officer of the Company aforesaid,and that the seals affixed to the preceding instrument are the Corporate Seals of said Companies,and that the said Corporate Seals and the Signature as such officer were duly affixed and subscribed to the said insmonent by the authority and direcdon of the said Corporations. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF,I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal the day and year first above written. Constance A.Dunn,Notary Public My Commission Expires:July 9,2023 L I:1A•'\\ 1\III,\111\\ EXTRACT FROM BY-LAWS OF THE COMPANIES V,Section 8,Attomevs-in-Fact. The Chief Executive Officer,the President,or any Executive Vice President or Vice President wriam inswment under the attested corporate seal, appoint attorneys-in-fact with authority to execute bonds, policies, fiances,stipulations,undertakings,or other like instruments on behalf of the Company, and may authorize any officer or any such mry-in-fact to affix the corporate seal thereto;and may with or without cause modify of revoke any such appointment or authority at any rmt" CERTIFICATE L the undersigned, Vice President of the ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, the COLONIAL AMERICAN CASUALTY AND the COMPANY,and the FIDELITY AND DEPOSIT COMPANY OF MARYLAND,do hereby certify that the foregoing Power of Attorney is still in full force and effect on the date of this certificate;and I do further certify that Article V,Section 8,of the By-Laws of the Companies is still in force. This Power of Attorney and Certificate may be signed by facsimile under and by authority of the following resolution of the Board of Directors of the ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY at a meeting duly called and held on the 15th day of December 1998. RESOLVED: "That the signature of the President or a Vice President and the attesting signature of a Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and the Seal of the Company may be affixed by facsimile on any Power of Attorney...Any such Power or any certificate thereof bearing such facsimile signature and seal shall be valid and binding on the Company." This Power of Attorney and Certificate may be signed by facsimile under and by authority of the following resolution of the Board of Directors of the COLONIAL AMERICAN CASUALTY AND SURETY COMPANY at a meeting duly called and held on the 5th day of May, 1994,and the following resolution of the Board of Directors of the FIDELITY AND DEPOSIT COMPANY OF MARYLAND at a meeting duly called and held on the I Oth day of May,1990. RESOLVED: "That the facsimile or mechanically reproduced seal of the company and facsimile or mechanically reproduced signature of any Vice-President,Secretary,or Assistant Secretary of the Company,whether made heretofore or hereafter,wherever appearing upon a certified copy of any power of attorney issued by the Company,shall be valid and binding upon the Company with the same force and effect as though manually affixed. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF,I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the corporate seals of the said Companies, this 14th day of December , 2022 Brian M.Hodges,Vice President TO REPORT A CLAIM WITH REGARD TO A SURETY BOND,PLEASE SUBMIT A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE CLAIM INCLUDING THE PRINCIPAL ON THE BOND,THE BOND NUMBER,AND YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION TO: Zurich Surety Claims 1299 Zurich Way Schaumburg,IL 60196-1056 www reporLcfclaimsrzurichna com 800-626-4577