02-06 North American Emerald Mine File Pt. 28

NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Land Resources
Land Quality Section
James D. Simons, P.G., P.E. Michael F. Easley, Governor
Director and State Geologist William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
November 20, 2007
Mr. William "Fred" Walker
173 Riverside Farm Lane
Taylorsville, North Carolina 28681
RE: Blasting Complaint
North American Emerald Mine
Permit No. 02-06
Alexander County
Dear Walker:
Our office has completed its review of North American Emerald Mines Inc.'s blasting information,
including blast reports and seismograph recordings, related to the October 11 through November 2, 2007
blasts conducted at its North American Emerald Mine. It was found that North American Emerald Mines
Inc. was in compliance with the blasting requirements of its mining permit during the period in question.
All peak particle velocities, a measurement of ground vibration with units in inches per second
(ips), were well below the maximum allowable limits specified in North American Emerald Mines Inc.'s
mining permit. More specifically, all recorded values were at or below .05 ips at a distance much closer
than the closest offsite occupied structure (the location where compliance with the permit limits is
determined). According to extensive research by the U.S. Bureau of Mines and others, particle velocities
below 0.5 ips effectively eliminate the possibility of any structural damage.
All airblast readings, a measurement of the atmospheric pressure wave (overpressure) with units
in psi or dBL, were also below the maximum allowable limits specified in the mining permit and well below
the U. S. Bureau of Mines' recognized level of 164 dBL for prevention of glass breakage. A key point
worth noting is that glass breakage occurs at much lower levels of overpressure than structural damage,
such as cracking plaster.
Thank you for your interest and patience in this matter. Hopefully I have answered your concems
adequately. If you should have any additional questions or concerns, please contact me at (919) 733-
4574.
Sincerely,
dit A. Wehner
Assistant State Mining Specialist
Land Quality Section
cc: Mr. Zahid Khan
1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612 -919-733-45741 FAX: [phone]
512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27604
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer— 50% Recycled 110% Post Consumer Paper

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North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Land Resources
Land Quality Section
James D. Simons, P.G., P.E. Michael F. Easley, Governor
Director and State Geologist William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
November 20, 2007
Mr. David Jarrell
North American Emerald Mines Inc.
531 Duncan Lane
Hiddenite, North Carolina 28636
RE: Blasting Complaint
North American Emerald Mine
Permit No. 02-06
Yadkin County
Dear Mr. Jarrell:
The review has been completed on the shot records you previously submitted for the October
11 through November 2, 2007 blasts at the North American Emerald Mine. Your company has been
found to be in compliance with the blasting conditions outlined in Mining Permit No. 02-06. 1 have
already notified the complainant, Mr. William "Fred" Walker, of our findings.
Thank you for your continued cooperation. If you should have any questions on the above,
please contact me at [phone].
Sincerely,
Judith A. Wehner
Assistant State Mining Specialist
Land Quality Section
cc: Mr. Zahid Khan
1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612 •919-733-4574 / FAX: [phone]
512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27604
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer— 50% Recycled 110% Post Consumer Paper

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Land Resources
Land Quality Section
James D. Simons, P.G., P.E.
Director and State Geologist
Mr. David Jarrell
North American Emerald Mines, Inc.
531 Duncan Lane
Hiddenite, North Carolina 28636
RE: Blasting Complaint
Permit No. 02-06
North American Emerald Mine
Alexander County
Yadkin River Basin
October 30, 2007
Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
Nov
L4NR OUdt,rrt, .
Dear Mr. Jarrell:
This office recently receO\daomplaint directed at blasting practices conducted at the
above referenced quarry. According to the complainant, Mr. William "Fred" Walker, the
vibrations produced from the blast at the North American Emerald Mine on October 29, 2007
caused the ground to vibrate.
As provided in the/fnining permit for this site, you are requested to provide this office
duplicate copies of all slfbt records related to the blasts conducted on October 29, 2007,
including any seismograph recordings made. Furthermore, please forward all shot information
for one production shoot conducted immediately before and one production shot after the
blast in question for this pffice's review.
It is recommended that -you discuss this ma ter with Mr. Walker His address and
telephone number are as follows:
s r air o� 6acA�
17ARiverside Far Lane
Taylorsville, North + arolina 28681
828-635-6385
I loo4orward to receiving the requested information in the near future. Your continued
cooperation will be_.appreciated.
Sincerely,
Judith VWehner
Assistant State Mining Specialist
Land Quality Section
cc: Zahid Khan, PE
1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612 - 919-7334574 / FAX: [phone]
512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27604
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer-50% Recycled 110% Post Consumer Paper

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�p'E R Natural R
esources
ent and
vironni
a�nient of E and Resources Mrchae\ Easley, G°vernor
North Carolina aliSec
ty W'dGam G _ F�°ss Jc, Secretary
�e pivisLand Qution
October 30' 2p07
). Sirn°ns�eo� 9rst
r and State Ines In
emerald
Mr. DaPmeacanl e M2g636
53A Duncarlo h Carolina
Niddenite, taint
R�. B\'g ger 'tNo 02 o Emerald Mine
Nortih Pe ercounty
Basin lasting practices conducted at the
Pia k1n River at b °Fred" Walker, the
11 complaint diocte la Want, Mr W 1111d Mine on Oetober 29, 2o07
pear Mr Sarre d a e comp n Elnera
centlm he p1a l� at r\\e North Prnenca
-This offlced quarN provide this office
above referee requested to
Produce
tro ibrate ou are ducted on October 29, 2007,
ns ermit for thi the b,asts con $e forward all shot information
vused the grow lea
in the mining pcords related to FurthermOr n'e one production shot after the
Ps Popes of all Ogr shOh o vecOdings rrmediately before a
dnplicaeepcn, selon hpOpoff ce'scre�iew matter Mr. �1`�a\ker His address and
eluding er with
this this m
for on uesfion for discuss
blast in Q mended that you
1t is reo°ber, are as foliows:
telephone nuns 3 side Farmrolina lane 2g6g1 Your continued
River North Cathe near future.
1\Orsville, In
6 63in
the requested
tot
825-6335
I look forwar apPT
c ated
cOoperafion
Wi11 be Sincerely,
OPA
W ehner
Judith P- State Mining Specialist
Land Quality section
2769 1612 •919-M-4574 I FAX'• 919'733 2876
9
id Khan, PE h North GaroGnasaieigh, N°rth Carolina, 27604
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blast complaint
Subject: blast complaint
From: Scott Harrell <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:48:39 -0400
To: "Judy.wehner>> Judy Wehner" <[e-mail]>
29 October 2007
Judy.-- Received a complaint today from Mr. William Walker in Alex. Co. He reports
the North American Emerald mine (permit #02-06) set off a blast at 10:55am that was
excessive. He was outside on the adjoining property ("across the creek") and felt
the ground vibrate. Mr. Walker said the mine's blasts have been increasing in
strength lately, and this one was a little much. Mr. Walker's phone number is
828.635.6335, and his address is: 173 RIVERSIDE FARM LN, TAYLORSVILLE, NC 28681.
Thanks,
Scott.
Scott Harrell, PE <scott.harrellPncmail.net>
Assistant Regional Engineer
Land Quality Section
NC Dept. of Environment & Natural Resources
S
10/29/2007 12:41 PM

North Carolina Department of NCDENR Environment an
Division of Land ResourcesNatural Resources
James D. Simons, PG, PE Land Quality Section Director and State Geologist Beverly Eaves Perdue, Governor
Dee Freeman, Secretary
January 26, 2010
North American Emerald Mine
James K. Hill
531 Duncan Lane
Hiddenite, N.C. 28636
RE: North American Emerald Mine Permit # 02-06
Alexander County, N.C.
Dear Sir or Madam:
Attached is a copy of our report documenting an inspection recently conducted at a mine site for
which our records show you to be responsible. The inspection was performed under the
Provisions of North Carolina General Statute 74-56 of the Mining Act of 1971.
Please review the report carefully and note any problems or deficiencies documented by the
inspector. Furthermore, please note any recommendations and/or specific corrective actions
required to correct any deficiencies that may be listed.
The responsibility for understanding and complying with the terms mining permit and the Act lies with you. and conditions of your
Please do not hesitate to contact this office if you have any
report. questions concerning the attached
Your cooperation is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Michael Hedrick
MH/cm Assistant Regional Engineer
Attachment
Cc: Floyd Williams, PG — Mining Specialist
le Regional office
610 East Center Avenu^e,oSuite 1301, Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
Telephone: [phone] / FAX: [phone] • Internet: http://wwwldlr.enr.state.nc.us/pagesAandquali"ection.html
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