20240813_Narrative

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1,,MENTAL
June 24, 2024
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Mooresville Regional Office RECEIVED
610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115
AU6 1 310Z4
Re: Imerys Mica Kings Mountain LANo uA M
Mine Permit 23-03 Modification Request MINING P
ROGp
Mooresville Regional Office:
Atlas Environmental Inc. is submitting the enclosed mine permit modification request on
behalf of IMERYS Mica Kings Mountain Inc. for the removal of the H1 East outfall and
transfer of the Archdale mine to a different responsible party. Before the permit
modification Imerys Mica Kings Mountain is permitted for a total site acreage of 828.32
and total land disturbance of 339.26 acres (Figure 5). The Wiley site has been fully
reclaimed and released which totals approximately 39.0 acres. This site is proposed to
be removed from the permitted area in this modification request. The area identified as
Tract 7 ( — 74.97 acres) has been fully reclaimed and is proposed to be removed from
the permitted area in this modification request. Additionally, a portion of the Neisler
site has been released and is proposed to be removed from the permitted area.
Archdale is being transferred from the permit, to a different permitted, which totals
approximately 143,69 acres and is proposed to be removed from the permitted area in
this modification request. The revised total acreage to be included within the 2024
permit modification is approximately 447.39 acres (Figure 6). The revised allowable
disturbance should reflect the previous allowed disturbance (339.26 acre) minus the
most recent disturbed area at Archdale (91.99 acre) to total 244.27 acres. Site maps
are included as Figure 1 through Figure 4. Figure 5 and Figure 6 demonstrate the
permit area before and after this modification request. The current USGS Grover
Quadrangle exhibit is attached as Figure 7. The current highway exhibit is attached as
Figure 8.
Due to continued turbidity issues associated with the H1 East outfall located at the H1
Mine it has been determined that the removal of the outfall is the most feasible option
to control the turbidity and benchmark exceedances. The outfall removal will consist of
first establishing proper erosion control measures including silt fence at the limits of
proposed filling. Due to the existing and proposed topography it is not anticipated that
rock outlets or temporary basins are necessary. If there is any water remaining in the
basin it will be pumped from the outfall to a direction that will surface flow towards the
mine pit. Water from the mine pit is pumped to a stilling basin that flows to the H1
West outfall. The outlet structure, which consists of a culvert, standpipe, trash rack,
and skimmer will be removed using heavy equipment. The existing rock baffles will be
ATLAS Environmental, Inc.
338 S Sharon Amity#411,Charlotte,North Carolina 28211
704-512-1206(o)/828-712-9205(m)
www.atlasenvi.com/Offices in Asheville and Charlotte

LAS
ARONMENTAL
graded flat to create a uniform base and the basin will be filled with waste material
originating from the site consisting of sand and clay. The filled basin area will be
stabilized using seed and straw. Due to the generally flat proposed slopes matting is
not being proposed unless erosion is observed. Once the ground cover has germinated
and the graded areas are stabilized the silt fence will be removed. See attached Figure
la — lc. The existing culvert under the haul road will be modified by shortening the
culvert and raising the invert to carry stormwater during rain events. Any surface flow
from the culvert will be directed to the existing pit. This portion of the permit
modification request does not include adding area to the existing permit or the
disturbance of additional area within the current permit area. The change in land use
classification will be documented in the next annual mine reclamation report. The
outfall removal will also be documented in the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
(SWPPP) and with the NC DEQ Division of Energy Mineral and Land Resources since the
modification will result in a change to stormwater sampling.
This mine permit modification also includes the transfer of the permitted area identified
as Archdale to Albemarle who is submitting a mine permit application. According to
Cleveland County GIS the current owner of parcel 66814 is ALBEMARLE U.S. INC. The
area of the Archdale property is approximately 143.69 acres. The most recent annual
reclamation report states the Archdale site has a disturbed area of 91.99 acres. This
mine permit modification is being submitted concurrently with the permit application by
Archdale to take responsibility for the permit referenced area. This modification request
is also being completed to modify the Imerys reclamation plan to remove the area
identified as Archdale. A map has been included with this modification request
indicating the area which is being transferred from Imerys to Archdale. Once the
permit modification is completed and is under the permit held by Albemarle, Imerys will
submit a release request. This portion of the permit modification request does not
include adding area to the existing Imerys mine permit or the disturbance of additional
area within the current permit area. This area will be removed from the annual mine
reclamation report for the 2024 year and subsequent years. This site will also be
removed from the facility SWPPP. Once the transfer is processed IMERYS Mica Kings
Mountain is no longer responsible for any operations or regulatory requirements related
to the Archdale mine.
Best regards,
Jacob Sinclair P.G., PWS
Senior Environmental Specialist
Atlas Environmental Inc.
ATLASEnvironmental, Inc.
338 S Sharon Amity#411,Charlotte,North Carolina 28211
704-512-1206(o)/828-712-9205(m)
w .adasenvi.com/Offices in Asheville and Charlotte