Appendix Q - Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Program

Groundwater and Surface Water
Sampling and Analysis Program
for the Kings Mountain Mining
Project
Kings Mountain and Archdale Sites
September 12, 2024
Document No.:
Revision: 0
3\ALBEMARLE°

Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Plan
Kings Mountain and Archdale Sites
Disclaimer
This document is a working document. This document may change over time because of new
information, or further analysis, or deliberation.
©Albemarle Corporation.All rights reserved.I Printed copies should be used with caution.The user of this document must ensure the current
approved version of this document is being used.
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Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Plan
Kings Mountain and Archdale Sites
CONTENTS
1. Introduction.........................................................................................................................1
1.1. Project Background......................................................................................................1
1.2. KMMP Location and Description ..................................................................................1
2. Purpose and Scope.............................................................................................................4
3. Monitoring Network.............................................................................................................4
3.1. Kings Mountain ............................................................................................................4
3.1.1. Groundwater......................................................................................................4
3.1.2. Surface Water....................................................................................................7
3.2. Archdale.......................................................................................................................9
3.2.1. Groundwater......................................................................................................9
3.2.2. Surface Water..................................................................................................11
4. Methods, Analytical Program, and Frequency................................................................13
4.1. Groundwater..............................................................................................................13
4.1.1. Water Level Gaging.........................................................................................13
4.1.2. Groundwater Sample Collection ......................................................................13
4.2. Surface Water............................................................................................................13
4.3. Analytical Program.....................................................................................................14
4.3.1. Analytical List...................................................................................................14
4.3.2. Quality Assurance and Quality Control ............................................................17
4.3.3. Data Review and Validation.............................................................................17
4.4. Sampling Frequency and Reporting...........................................................................18
References ..............................................................................................................................19
List of Tables
Table 1: Kings Mountain Monitoring Well Construction .............................................................. 4
Table 2: Kings Mountain Surface Water Monitoring Network...................................................... 7
Table 3: Archdale Monitoring Well Construction......................................................................... 9
Table 4: Archdale Surface Water Monitoring Network...............................................................11
Table 5: Groundwater Sampling Analyte List ............................................................................14
Table 6: Surface Water Sampling Analyte List ..........................................................................16
List of Figures
Figure 1: Regional Location of the Kings Mountain Mining Project...............................................
Figure 2: Monitoring Well Network Kings Mountain Mine Site ......................................................
Figure 3: Surface Water Monitoring Network Kings Mountain Mine Site.......................................
Figure 4: Monitoring Well Network Archdale Site .........................................................................
Figure 5: Surface Water Monitoring Network Archdale Site..........................................................
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Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Plan
Kings Mountain and Archdale Sites
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. PROJECT BACKGROUND
Albemarle Corporation (Albemarle) intends to reopen the Kings Mountain Mine, which produced
lithium from the 1940s through the 1980s and contains one of the few known hard rock lithium
deposits in the United States. The Kings Mountain Mine is located in Cleveland County, North
Carolina, adjacent to the city of Kings Mountain on the 1-85 transit corridor, approximately 30
miles west of the city of Charlotte.
In support of advancing the Kings Mountain Mine Project (KMMP), Albemarle conducted various
studies to establish the baseline characteristics of the KMMP area, and support engineering
designs to advance mine planning. The KMMP is primarily on the site of a pre-existing mine and
processing operation, and as such, most of the studies are focused on understanding the
existing legacy facilities and conditions. These studies generated information that was used to
design this sampling and analysis plan (SAP) for the KMMP groundwater and surface water.
1.2. KMMP LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The KMMP comprises two sites: the legacy Kings Mountain mine site (KMM) and the Archdale
tailings storage facility (TSF). The KMMP is located in the Piedmont physiographic region of
North Carolina (Figure 1). This region is characterized by gently rolling hills and low ridges that
form a transition zone between the Atlantic coastal plain and the Blue Ridge Mountains, which
are part of the larger Appalachian Mountain range. The area is generally underlain by crystalline
metamorphic and intrusive igneous rocks and, in many places, overlain by heavily weathered
bedrock and soil. The regional topography is dominated by Crowders Mountain and Kings
Mountain, which rise 600 to 700 feet above the surrounding terrain.
The KMM site is located approximately 30 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina (NC) along
the 1-85 corridor, adjacent to the town of Kings Mountain, located in Cleveland County, NC. The
KM mine site has been historically mined, and topography is largely artificial, including
numerous historical waste rock piles, TSFs, and an open pit that has infilled with water to form a
lake. The KMM site is drained by Kings Creek, which flows through the property from northeast
to southwest, eventually flowing into the Broad River approximately 17 miles to the southwest
(in South Carolina).
The Archdale TSF site is located approximately 3 miles southwest of the KMM in Cleveland
County, North Carolina. The Archdale TSF has historically been used as an open pit mica mine
and was partially reclaimed in 2013. Since 2013 the site has been under care and maintenance.
As part of the KMMP, the Archdale site will be repurposed to store tailings generated from
processing the lithium-bearing ore from the KMM site. The Archdale TSF is drained by several
unnamed tributaries that flow into Dixon Branch, which ultimately reports to Kings Creek.
Geologically, the KMMP is in North Carolina's tin-spodumene belt (Swanson, 2012; Kessler,
1942), a part of the Kings Mountain Shear Zone. This region is characterized by a wide degree of
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Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Plan
Kings Mountain and Archdale Sites
metamorphism imposed on both sedimentary and igneous rock types. As shown in the geologic
map of the area rock types across the site vary from metamorphic rocks of the Blacksburg
Formation containing phyllitic meta-siltstone interlayered with thinner units of marble, laminated
micaceous quartzite, hornblende gneiss, and amphibolite; the Battleground Formation containing
metavolcanic rocks and interlayered schist; and an upper part consisting of quartz-sericite phyllite
and schist interlayered with quartz-pebble metaconglomerate, aluminous quartzite, micaceous
quartzite, manganiferous rock, and metavolcanic rocks; the Cherryville granite; metamorphosed
quartz diorite; and mica schist (United States Geological Survey [USGS], 2006).
The KMMP is zoned for heavy industrial use and is surrounded by a mixture of properties
designated as residential, general business, light industrial, general business — commercial use,
and restricted manufactured homes.
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1:1,000,000

Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Plan
Kings Mountain and Archdale Sites
2. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The KMMP monitoring program described in this SAP is designed to generate information to
ensure the KMMP operations are protective of the water resources on and off the KMMP
property. This SAP is designed to meet internal Albemarle water stewardship goals, while also
conforming to NCDEQ water quality guidelines. The scope of monitoring includes sampling for
both groundwater and surface water quality, monitoring groundwater levels to assess changes
in the potentiometric surface, and monitoring surface water flow from active flowing streams
within and near the KMM and Archdale TSF sites. These monitoring programs are subject to
quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures and data validation procedures discussed
in Section 4.3.
3. MONITORING NETWORK
3.1. KINGS MOUNTAIN
This section describes the groundwater and surface water monitoring network for the KMM site,
including water quality sampling and surface water flow measurements.
3.1.1. Groundwater
The groundwater monitoring network was designed to provide an indication of the water quality
at the perimeter of the KMM site and around major facilities within the site (e.g., open pit, rock
storage facilities [RSFs]). Table 1 presents the names, locations, and construction information
for the KMM monitoring wells currently in operation and Figure 2 shows their location on the
KMM site.
Table 1: Kings Mountain Monitoring Well Construction
Top of Total Screen Interval
Monitoring Easting Northing Ground Casing Total Depth Depth(ft- Well
Well ID Elevation Elevation (ft-bgs) btoc) Diameter
RTKM22-382 1295480 541280 913.75 916.57 420.8 423.6 6 160-420
RTKM22-387 1295496 541285 913.53 916.31 106.0 108.8 6 65-105
RTKM22-392 1298471 545183 893.97 896.67 501.0 503.7 6 140-501
RTKM22-396 1298475 545173 893.76 896.36 150.0 152.6 6 40-150
RTKM22-399 1296504 544850 942.34 945.10 110.0 112.8 4 30-110
RTKM22401 1296451 544461 972.44 975.30 151.0 153.9 4 30-150
RTKM22-403 1296421 544487 972.21 975.34 155.0 158.1 6 35-155
RTKM22412 1296093 545407 962.33 965.51 201.0 204.2 6 35-200
SNKM22-375 1294302 540412 901.53 904.66 176.0 179.1 4 85.7-175
SNKM22-384 1295315 542992 961.92 964.53 90.0 92.6 4 40-90
SNKM22-385 1297655 540905 844.73 847.56 140.6 143.4 4 30.3-140.6
SNKM22-388 1293838 541685 939.04 942.20 117.0 120.2 4 36.7-117
SNKM22-398 1295893 540572 828.55 831.99 95.0 98.4 4 24.7-95
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Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Plan
Kings Mountain and Archdale Sites
Top of Total Screen Interval
Monitoring Easting Northing Ground Casing Total Depth Depth(ft- Well
Well ID Elevation Elevation (ft-bgs) btoc) Diameter
SNKM22-400 1293791 537313 891.49 894.70 125.9 129.1 4 35.7-126
SNKM22-402 1297639 539202 817.89 820.75 115.5 118.4 4 45.2-115.5
SNKM22-406 1292465 540840 952.42 955.22 105.0 107.8 4 24.7-105
SNKM22-416 1301284 541840 853.09 855.88 115.0 117.8 4 24.7-115
SNKM22-420 1298040 537560 843.68 845.90 65.5 67.7 4 25.2-65.5
SNKM22-424 1299960 542771 906.97 909.75 225.0 227.8 4 34.7-225
SNKM22-428 1299142 546446 939.36 942.04 95.0 97.7 4 35-95
SNKM22-430 1296780 541666 878.54 881.21 105.0 107.7 4 24.7-105
SNKM22-432 1295433 540258 908.48 910.65 65.0 67.2 2 24.7-65
SNKM22-434 1296206 540809 863.51 865.46 105.0 107.0 2 74.7-105
SNKM22-438 1295961 544005 943.15 946.69 150.0 153.5 4 29.7-150
SNKM22-439 1297075 543099 922.04 925.51 85.0 88.5 4 54.7-85
Note:Several wells shown in this table will be affected by the construction and operation of the mine,and additional monitoring wells
will be constructed and included in the monitoring program as appropriate.
The groundwater monitoring network locations were installed to accomplish several objectives:
1) coverage near existing (legacy) and proposed waste facilities such as the future rock storage
facilities (RSFs); 2) coverage near the property line as that is anticipated to be the groundwater
point of compliance; and 3) vertical coverage of relevant aquifers and other water-bearing
hydrostratigraphic units.
The location of each the monitoring wells is presented in Figure 2 along with the property
boundary. As discussed in the Kings Mountain Hydrogeologic characterization (SRK 2024),
groundwater flow in the central Piedmont of North Carolina is controlled by the regolith,
saprolite, transition zone, and crystalline bedrock systems and how they interact with shallow
groundwater. As such, the screened intervals of the wells at KMM were designed to capture
water infiltrating through and transporting into the transition zones of regolith to saprolite, and
saprolite to fractured bedrock, and the competent crystalline bedrock at depth.
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1:z4,000

Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Plan
Kings Mountain and Archdale Sites
3.1.2. Surface Water
The surface water quality monitoring program is intended to provide baseline conditions for all
major surface water features, and to establish points to identify changes in surface water
features during construction and operation of the KMMP. These include flowing streams (e.g.,
Kings Creek) as well as man-made impoundments (e.g., South Creek Reservoir). Surface water
quality monitoring locations are listed in Table 2 and shown in Figure 3.
Table 2: Kings Mountain Surface Water Monitoring Network
Location ID Description Easting Northing Flow
Measurements
KMSW-01 Mill Pond No. 1 1,296,653.90 542,035.29
KMSW-02 Water Storage Basin 1 (WSB-1) 1,298,555.48 539,523.27
KMSW-03 Kings Creek at Weir 7 1,297,171.79 537,765.50 X
KMSW-03a Kings Creek at Weir 3 1,297,009.09 540,556.77 X
KMSW-08 South Creek Reservoir 1,296,508.88 540,392.42
KMSW-10 Kings Creek upstream, near above 1,297,979.03 542,668.37
admin building
Note: Mill Pond No.1 will not be present after construction. Monitoring will continue while it exists.
The locations in Table 2 were selected because they are the main surface water features on
site. WSB-1 is particularly important because it will be the primary storage of surface water on
site during construction and into operations of the KMM receiving both contact and non-contact
water. The locations along Kings Creek were chosen as they represent where Kings Creek
leaves Albemarle property (KMSW-03), the location of rehabilitated or legacy weirs (KMSW-03
and KMSW-03a), and where Kings creek enters Albemarle property from the north. South creek
was chosen because it is the other flowing source of water on site and feeds directly into South
Creek Reservoir (KMSW-08).
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Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Plan
Kings Mountain and Archdale Sites
3.2. ARCHDALE
This section describes the groundwater and surface water monitoring network at the Archdale
TSF site, including water quality sampling and surface water flow measurements.
3.2.1. Groundwater
The groundwater monitoring network was designed to provide baseline water level and water
quality conditions within the Archdale TSF site. Table 3 provides the location IDS, coordinates,
and construction information for the Archdale monitoring well network. Figure 4 shows their
location on the TSF site.
Table 3: Archdale Monitoring Well Construction
MonGround Top of Total Screen Interval
Well'IDring Easting Northing Elevation Casing To
bg Depth Depth(ft- Diameter
meter
Elevation btoc)
SNKM23-511 1283260.17 533393.55 900.22 904.44 41.1 45.3 2 20.4-40.7
SNKM23-527 1283837.17 534309.27 915.92 919.41 54.9 58.4 2 9.9-54.9
SNKM23-529 1283191.45 534197.23 909.97 912.40 30.0 32.4 2 9.6-29.6
SNKM23-531A 1282014.94 532165.65 864.86 867.67 100.0 102.8 2 20.0-99.7
SNKM23-540A 1282626.41 533518.71 885.88 889.92 60.0 64.0 2 20.0-60.0
SNKM23-541 1280557.74 531049.33 910.57 913.65 82.0 85.1 2 40.0-82.0
SNKM23-548 1281087.09 531799.73 913.44 916.71 40.0 43.3 2 25.0-40.0
SNKM23-550 1280873.66 532567.43 899.46 902.85 60.0 63.4 2 30.0-60.0
SNKM23-553 1281895.27 533710.25 994.25 996.81 157.5 160.1 2 77.5-157.5
SNKM23-557 1282177.86 532952.07 860.21 863.11 89.0 91.9 2 8.6-89.0
Note:Several wells shown in this table will be affected by the construction and operation of the mine,and additional monitoring wells
will be constructed and included in the monitoring program as appropriate.
Similar to the KMM, the groundwater at Archdale is controlled through similar processes and the
wells were located to meet similar objectives. The main difference at Archdale is that there will
just be one facility, the TSF, and the wells were located around the property boundary.
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Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Plan
Kings Mountain and Archdale Sites
3.2.2. Surface Water
The surface water quality monitoring program is intended to provide baseline conditions for all
major surface water features (e.g., ponds) as well as downstream receptors of the Archdale
TSF including the unnamed tributary which flows from the Archdale TSF to Dixon branch, which
has been colloquially referred to as "Archdale Creek". Table 4 (and Figure 5) provides the
location IDS, description, and coordinates of the Archdale surface water monitoring locations.
Table 4: Archdale Surface Water Monitoring Network
Monitoring Flow
Location ID Description Easting Northing Monitoring
Location
ADSW-2 Pond 2 1,282,060.49 532,652.59
ADSW-4 Pond 4(large pond) 1,281,915.07 532,336.84
ADSW-5 Pond 5(SW corner) 1,280,766.05 532,452.06
DS-Dixon Downstream of the Archdale 1,282,317.69 527,436.46 X
Ck/Dixon Br.Confluence
US-Dixon Upstream of the Archdale 1,283,338.34 528,606.22 X
Ck/Dixon Br.Confluence
Confluence Archdale Ck/Dixon Br. 1,282,867.68 528,264.47 X
Confluence
Note: Ponds 2,4,and 5 will not exist after construction.
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1:12,000

Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Plan
Kings Mountain and Archdale Sites
4. METHODS, ANALYTICAL PROGRAM, AND FREQUENCY
4.1. GROUNDWATER
4.1.1. Water Level Gaging
At the beginning of each monitoring event and before undertaking any purging or sampling
activities, field personnel measure and record, on a field sampling form, the depth-to-water
(DTW) to determine static conditions in the entire monitoring well network.
4.1.2. Groundwater Sample Collection
Groundwater samples will be collected via low-flow methods in accordance with the United
States Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA's) low-flow sampling protocol and North
Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's (NCDEQ's) groundwater sampling guidelines
(USEPA, 2017; NCDEQ, 2022). Groundwater will be purged from wells and sampled using a
bladder pump, monsoon pump, and/or peristaltic pump depending on the characteristics of the
well and measured water level. At each well, single-use low-density polyethylene (LDPE) tubing
is connected to the pump and the pump lowered to the midpoint of the saturated screened
interval.
After the pump is lowered and set to the correct depth, purging begins, and water quality
measurements recorded at 5-minute intervals until water quality parameters reach stabilization
or three well volumes are purged. Water quality measurements are recorded for pH (Standard
Units (S.U.)), temperature (degrees Celsius (°C)), conductivity (Micro-Siemens per centimeter
(pS/cm), dissolved oxygen (DO, milligrams per liter (mg/L)), and oxidation reduction potential
(ORP, millivolts (mV)) were measured. In addition, at the time of sampling, a Hach'free chlorine
field test kit is used to measure the presence of free chlorine in the water. Upon parameter
stabilization or three well volume purge, samples are collected in laboratory provided sample
kits and immediately placed on ice in coolers for sample preservation and for shipment to
analytical laboratories.
4.2. SURFACE WATER
4.2.1.1. Water Quality Sampling
Surface water samples are collected via a decontaminated polypropylene dipper stick or a single
use polyethylene bailer and polypropylene rope. Water quality measurements will continue to be
recorded for pH (S.U.), temperature (°C), conductivity (pS/cm), DO (mg/L), and ORP (mV) by
measuring the surface water at the point of sample collection. Samples are collected in laboratory
provided sample kits and immediately placed on ice in coolers for sample preservation and
shipment to analytical laboratories.
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Groundwater and Surface Water Sampling and Analysis Plan
Kings Mountain and Archdale Sites
4.2.1.2. Surface Water Flow Measurements
Stream flow velocity measurements will be collected, using procedures that generally adhere to
the USGS guidelines for stream flow velocity gauging (USGS, 2018). First, the total cross-
sectional width of each sampling location is measured to determine the width of the stream
profile. Once measured, the stream cross section is discretized based on the depth of the water
column. Each stream subdivision has a reading taken at 20 percent, 50 percent, and 80 percent
depth of the water column with the flowmeter to get a flow reading in ft/sec. The instantaneous
velocity readings are summated using the volumetric flow equation, below, along with the cross-
sectional area of the Dixon Branch sampling locations to determine the total volumetric flow of
the Dixon Branch sampling locations at the time of measurement.
4.3. ANALYTICAL PROGRAM
4.3.1. Analytical List
The analytical list for the KMM and Archdale TSF sites are based on applicable regulatory
standards, the baseline geochemical characterization (SRK Consulting [SRK], 2024a; 2024b),
and the predictive water quality modeling results and groundwater quality evaluations (SRK,
2024c; 2024d; 2024e). The lists focus on metals and other inorganic parameters as that is most
applicable to metal mining. Regulatory statutes reviewed to inform the list include:
• The NC groundwater standards for Class GA waters (NC Administrative Code [NCAC]
15A.02L.0202). Class GA waters represent groundwater intended as an existing or
potential source of drinking water supply for humans. Class GA waters are characterized
by chloride concentrations equal to or less than 250 mg/L.
• The NC surface water standards for Class C waters (NCAC 15A.02B.0211). Class C
waters are protected for uses such as aquatic life propagation, survival and maintenance
of biological integrity (including fishing and fish), wildlife, secondary contact recreation,
and agriculture. Secondary contact recreation means wading, boating, other uses not
involving human body contact with water, and activities involving human body contact
with water where such activities take place on an infrequent, unorganized, or incidental
basis.
Table 5 and Table 6 present Albemarle's proposed analytical list for groundwater and surface
water, respectively.
Table 5: Groundwater Sampling Analyte List
Fraction(total Class GA Waters
Parameter Laboratory or Field Method or dissolved) Units Standard
(15A NCAC 02L.0202)
pH(field) Field NA S.U. 6.5—8.5
Conductivity(field) Field NA PS/CM
Water temperature Field NA °C
Dissolved oxygen Field NA mg/L
Oxidation-reduction potential Field NA my
Turbidity Field NA NTU
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Fraction(total Class GA Waters
Parameter Laboratory or Field Method or dissolved) Units Standard
(15A NCAC 02L.0202)
pH(lab) SM 4500-H+B-2011 total S.U. 6.5-8.5
Conductivity(lab) SM 2510 B-2011 total PS/cm
Alkalinity as CaCO3 SM 2320 B-2011 total mg/L
Calcium EPA 200.7 total mg/L
Magnesium EPA 200.7 total mg/L
Potassium EPA 200.7 total mg/L
Sodium EPA 200.7 total mg/L
Sulfate ASTM D516-07/-11/-16 total mg/L
Chloride SM 4500-CI E-2011 total mg/L 250
Fluoride SM 4500-F C-2011 total mg/L 2
Phosphate Calculation(total Phosphorus) total mg/L -
Cyanide, Free ASTM D6888-09/OIA-1677-09 total mg/L 0.07
Ammonia, nitrogen M350.1 Auto Salicylate w/gas diffusion total mg/L 1.5
Nitrate, nitrogen EPA 353.2 total mg/L 10
Nitrite, nitrogen EPA 300.0 total mg/L 1
Hardness as CaCO3 Calculation(SM 2340 B-2011) total mg/L -
Sulfide as S SM 4500-S2 D-2011 total mg/L -
Antimony EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.001
Arsenic EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.01
Barium EPA 200.7 total mg/L 0.7
Beryllium EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.004
Boron EPA 200.7 total mg/L 0.7
Cadmium EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.002
Chromium EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.01
Cobalt EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.001
Copper EPA 200.8 total mg/L 1
Iron EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.3
Lead EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.015
Lithium EPA 200.7 total mg/L -
Manganese EPA 200.7 total mg/L 0.05
Mercury EPA 1631E total mg/L 0.001
Nickel EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.1
Selenium EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.02
Silver EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.02
Strontium EPA 200.7 total mg/L 2
Thallium EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.002
Tin EPA 200.7 total mg/L 2
Vanadium EPA 200.8 total mg/L 0.007
Zinc EPA 200.8 total mg/L 1
Gross Alpha EPA 900.0 total pCi/L 15
Gross Beta EPA 900.0 total pCi/L -
Radium 226 EPA 903.0 total mg/L
Radium 228 EPA 904.0 total mg/L
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Fraction(total Class GA Waters
Parameter Laboratory or Field Method or dissolved) Units Standard
(15A NCAC 02L.0202)
Color HACH Color Wheel NA units 15
Total Dissolved Solids SM 2540 C-2011 dissolved mg/L 500
Total Suspended Solids SM 2540 D-2011/2015 total mg/L -
Table 6: Surface Water Sampling Analyte List
Fraction(total Class C Waters
Parameter Laboratory or Field Method or dissolved) Units Standard(15A NCAC
02B)
pH(field) Field NA S.U. 6-9
Conductivity(field) Field NA PS/Cm -
Water temperature Field NA °C -
Dissolved oxygen Field NA mg/L 110%saturation
Oxidation-reduction potential Field NA mV -
Turbidity Field NA NTU 50
pH(lab) SM 4500-H+B-2011 total S.U. 6-9
Conductivity(lab) SM 2510 B-2011 total PS/cm -
Alkalinity as CaCO3 SM 2320 B-2011 total mg/L
Calcium EPA 200.7 total mg/L
Magnesium EPA 200.7 total mg/L
Potassium EPA 200.7 total mg/L
Sodium EPA 200.7 total mg/L
Sulfate ASTM D516-07/-11/-16 total mg/L 250
Chloride SM 4500-CI E-2011 total mg/L 230
Fluoride SM 4500-F C-2011 total mg/L 1.8
Cyanide,total M335.4-Colorimetric w/distillation total mg/L 0.005
Hardness as CaCO3 Calculation(SM 2340 B-2011) total mg/L -
Sulfide as S SM 4500-S2 D-2011 total mg/L -
Arsenic EPA 200.8 dissolved mg/L 340/150
Barium EPA 200.7 dissolved mg/L -
Beryllium EPA 200.8 dissolved mg/L 65/6.5
Boron EPA 200.7 dissolved mg/L -
Cadmium EPA 200.8 dissolved mg/L Calc./Calc.
Chromium, III EPA 200.8 dissolved mg/L Calc./Calc
Chromium,VI SM 3500-Cr B-2011 dissolved mg/L 0.016/0.011
Cobalt EPA 200.8 dissolved mg/L -
Copper EPA 200.8 dissolved mg/L Calc./Calc
Iron EPA 200.8 dissolved mg/L -
Lead EPA 200.8 dissolved mg/L Calc./Calc
Lithium EPA 200.7 dissolved mg/L
Manganese EPA 200.7 dissolved mg/L
Mercury EPA 1631 E total mg/L 0.012
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Fraction(total Class C Waters
Parameter Laboratory or Field Method or dissolved) Units Standard(15A NCAC
0213)
Nickel EPA 200.8 dissolved mg/L Calc./Calc
Selenium EPA 200.8 dissolved mg/L 1.5/3.1
Silver EPA 200.8 dissolved mg/L Calc./0.0006
Zinc EPA 200.8 dissolved mg/L Calc./Calc
Gross Alpha EPA 900.0 dissolved pCi/L 15
Gross Beta EPA 900.0 dissolved pCi/L 50
Radium 226 EPA 903.0 dissolved pCi/L 5
Radium 228 EPA 904.0 dissolved pCi/L 5
Total Dissolved Solids SM 2540 C-2011 dissolved mg/L -
Total Suspended Solids SM 2540 D-2011/2015 total mg/L -
Notes
Calc. =threshold value is a calculation based on hardness (see 15A NCAC 0213.0211 for equations)
If two values are presented in the standard,the first is acute and the second is chronic
4.3.2. Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Albemarle has developed a QA/QC program for KMMP water sampling that prescribes a
number of duplicate and blank samples to be collected for each sampling event to assess
sampling, environmental, and laboratory conditions which may affect the analytical results.
These QA/QC samples are as follows:
• Field Duplicate: Collected at select sample locations for groundwater and surface water.
The number of duplicate samples collected for each matrix type is determined based on
the number of samples being collected. For each matrix type, field duplicates are collected
to represent 10% of the total number of samples collected for the event.
• Matrix Spike and Matrix Spike Duplicates (MS/MSD): With the higher quantity of
groundwater samples being collected, matrix spike and matrix spike duplicate (MS/MSD)
samples are also collected. Like field duplicates, the number of MS/MSD samples
collected is dependent on the overall number of groundwater samples being collected.
The number of MS/MSD samples represented 5%of the total number of samples collected
for each event.
• Field Blanks (FB): In the field, personnel fill one set of sample containers with distilled or
deionized water and carry the set, hereafter called a field blank, in the field and return it
unopened to the laboratory alongside the samples. The surface water sampling team and
groundwater sampling team will each prepare one field blank.
• Equipment Blanks (EB): In the field, the groundwater sampling team fill one set of sample
containers with distilled or deionized water that is poured over the bladder pump housing,
after decontamination procedures have been completed.
• Trip Blanks (TB): Laboratory method protocols require the collection of mercury trip
blanks. These are collected according to the instructions provided by the laboratory. The
mercury trip blanks is collected by each of the surface water and groundwater sampling
teams.
4.3.3. Data Review and Validation
The contract laboratory that receives samples for analysis will be certified by the North Carolina
Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC) program.
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Albemarle will maintain electronic copies of all sampling data.
4.4. SAMPLING FREQUENCY AND REPORTING
Water quality Sampling at both sites will be conducted quarterly with review of the frequency
every two years. During the review period, an assessment of the frequency will be made to
evaluate if semi-annual or annual water quality sampling at select locations is warranted based
on the frequency of detection and trends within the analytical results.
During the two-year review the analyte list will also be evaluated and select analytes may be
recommended for removal based on frequency of detection and trends in the results.
Water level gaging of monitoring wells will occur quarterly and is not expected to change unless
wells become dry and water levels are unable to be collected, they will be removed from the
monitoring network.
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REFERENCES
Kessler, T.L., 1942. The Tin-Spodumene Belt of the Carolinas, A Preliminary Report, by T. L.
Kesler, Strategic Minerals Investigations, United States Department of the Interior
Geological Survey, Bulletin 936-J, 1942 (Pages 245-269) https://diclital.librarV.unt.edu/
ark:/67531/metadc304379/m2/1/high_res_d/metadc304379.pdf
NCDEQ, 2022. Guidelines for Sampling, UST Section North Carolina Department of
Environmental and Natural Resources Division of Waste Management, March 7, 2022,
Version, Change 4, Effective March 7, 2022.
Swanson, S. E. (2012). Mineralogy of spodumene pegmatites and related rocks in the tin-
spodumene belt of North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. The Canadian Mineralogist,
50(6), 1589. https:Hdoi.org/10.3749/canmin.50.6.1589
SRK 2024a, Technical Report- 2023 Prefeasibility Study Baseline Geochemical
Characterization Kings Mountain Mining Project. Report prepared by SRK for Albemarle.
Submitted April, 2024.
SRK 2024b, 2023 Prefeasibility Study Kings Mountain Mining Project Baseline Geochemistry
Characterization Study for the Archdale Tailings Facility. Report prepared by SRK for
Albemarle, submitted April 2024
SRK 2024c. Technical Report 2023 Prefeasibility Study, Geochemistry Water Quality
Predictions Kings Mountain Mining Project. Report prepared by SRK for Albemarle,
Submitted April 2024
SRK 2024d. Technical Report 2023 Prefeasibility Study, Kings Mountain Mining Project
Archdale Tailings Storage Facility Water Quality Predictions. Report prepared by SRK
for Albemarle, Submitted April 2024
SRK 2024e. Technical Memorandum — Kings Mountain Groundwater Quality. Report prepared
by SRK for Albemarle, submitted March 2024.
USEPA, 2017. Low Stress (Low Flow) Purging and Sampling Procedure for the Collection of
Groundwater Samples from Monitoring Wells, Quality Assurance Unit, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency— Region 1, EQASOP-GW4.
USGS, 2006. Geologic map of the Kings Mountain and Grover quadrangles, Cleveland and
Gaston Counties, North Carolina, and Cherokee and York Counties, South Carolina,
United States Geological Survey. 2006 https:Hpubs.usgs.gov/publication/ofr2006l238
USGS, 2018. How Streamflow is Measured. Retrieved from <https://www.usgs.gov/special-
topics/water-science-school/science/how-streamflow-measured>
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