75-01 REN 2015

A
NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Pat McCrory
Governor
Mr. Danny Seay
Thompson Contractors Inc.
PO Box 1268
Rutherfordton, North Carolina 28139
RE: Permit No. 75-01
Mill Spring Quarry
Polk County
Broad River Basin
Dear Mr. Seay:
March 2, 2015
Donald R. van der Vaart
Secretary
Your application for renewal of the above referenced mining permit has been approved.
A copy of the renewed permit is enclosed. The new expiration date is March 2, 2025.
The conditions in the permit renewal were based primarily upon the initial application.
Modifications were made as indicated by the renewal request and as required to insure
compliance with The Mining Act of 1971. 1 would like to draw your particular attention to the
following conditions where minor additions or changes were made: Operating Condition Nos.
3C, 4131 12E, and 14 and Reclamation Condition 2E.
As a reminder, your permitted acreage at this site is 29.95 acres and the amount of
land you are approved to disturb is 15.13 acres.
Please review the renewed permit and contact Judy Wehner, Assistant State Mining
Specialist, at [phone] should you have any questions concerning this matter.
Sincerely, p
�.� '
J net S. Boyer, PE
tate Mining Specialist
L nd Quality Section
JSB/jw
Enclosures
cc: Ms. Shawna Riddle
Mr. William Gerringer-DOL, Mine and Quarry Bureau, w/o enclosures
Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources
Energy Section • Geological Survey Section • Land Quality Section
1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612.919-707-9200 / FAX: [phone]
512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 • Internet: http://portal.nodenr.org/webAr/
An Equal Opportunity \ Affirmative Action Employer— 50% Recycled \ 10% Post Consumer Paper

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF ENERGY, MINERAL, AND LAND RESOURCES
LAND QUALITY SECTION
PERMIT
for the operation of a mining activity
In accordance with the provisions of G.S. 74-46 through 68, "The Mining
Act of 1971," Mining Permit Rule 15A NCAC 5 B, and other applicable
laws, rules and regulations
Permission is hereby granted to:
Thompson Contractors, Inc.
Mill Spring Quarry
Polk County - Permit No. 75-01
for the operation of a
Crushed Stone Quarry
which shall provide that the usefulness, productivity and scenic values of
all lands and waters affected by this mining operation will receive the
greatest practical degree of protection and restoration.
MINING PERMIT EXPIRATION DATE: March 2, 2025

Page 2
In accordance with the application for this mining permit, which is hereby approved by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources hereinafter referred to as the Department,
and in conformity with the approved Reclamation Plan attached to and incorporated as part of
this permit, provisions must be made for the protection of the surrounding environment and for
reclamation of the land and water affected by the permitted mining operation. This permit is
expressly conditioned upon compliance with all the requirements of the approved Reclamation
Plan. However, completed performance of the approved Reclamation Plan is a separable
obligation, secured by the bond or other security on file with the Department, and may survive
the expiration, revocation or suspension of this permit.
This permit is not transferable by the permittee with the following exception: If another
operator succeeds to the interest of the permittee in the permitted mining operation, by virtue
of a sale, lease, assignment or otherwise, the Department may release the permittee from the
duties imposed upon him by the conditions of his permit and by the Mining Act with reference
to the permitted operation, and transfer the permit to the successor operator, provided that
both operators have complied with the requirements of the Mining Act and that the successor
operator agrees to assume the duties of the permittee with reference to reclamation of the
affected land and posts a suitable bond or other security.
In the event that the Department determines that the permittee or permittee's successor is not
complying with the Reclamation Plan or other terms and conditions of this permit, or is failing
to achieve the purposes and requirements of the Mining Act, the Department may give the
operator written notice of its intent to modify, revoke or suspend the permit, or its intent to
modify the Reclamation Plan as incorporated in the permit. The operator shall have right to a
hearing at a designated time and place on any proposed modification, revocation or
suspension by the Department. Alternatively and in addition to the above, the Department
may institute other enforcement procedures authorized by law.
np-finitinn s
Wherever used or referred to in this permit, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise,
terms shall have the same meaning as supplied by the Mining Act, N.C.G.S. 74-49.
Mnrlifinntinnn
February 17, 1994: This permit has been modified as per the Mill Spring Quarry Erosion
Control Plan, Sheets 1 through 6 of 6, received by the Land Quality Section on December 20,
1993.
October 8, 2004: This permit has been modified to increase the permitted acreage to 29.95
acres and increase the affected acreage at the site to 15.13 acres as indicated on the mine
map last revised December 1, 2004. The modification includes an adjustment of the permitted
and affected acreage because of better mapping of the site.
Expiration Date
This permit shall be effective from the date of its issuance until March 2, 2025.

Page 3
Cnnr itinns
This Permit shall be subject to the provisions of the Mining Act, N.C.G.S. 74-46, et. seq., and
to the following conditions and limitations:
OPERATING CONDITIONS:
1. Wastewater and Quarry Dewaterinq
A. Any wastewater processing or mine dewatering shall be in accordance with the
permitting requirements and rules promulgated by the N.C. Environmental
Management Commission.
B. Any storm water runoff from the affected areas at the site shall be in accordance
with any applicable permit requirements and regulations promulgated by the
Environmental Protection Agency and enforced by the N.C. Environmental
Management Commission. It shall be the permittee's responsibility to contact
the Stormwater Program to secure any necessary storm water permits or other
approval documents.
2. Air Quality and Dust Control
A. Any mining related process producing air contaminant emissions including
fugitive dust shall be subject to the requirements and rules promulgated by the
N.C. Environmental Management Commission and enforced by the Division of
Air Quality.
B. During processing operation, water trucks or other means that may be necessary
shall be utilized to prevent dust from leaving the permitted area.
3. Buffer Zones
A. Any mining activity affecting waters of the State, waters of the U. S., or wetlands
shall be in accordance with the requirements and regulations promulgated and
enforced by the N. C. Environmental Management Commission.
B. Sufficient buffer shall be maintained between any affected land and any
adjoining waterway or wetland to prevent sedimentation of that waterway or
wetland from erosion of the affected land and to preserve the integrity of the
natural watercourse or wetland.
C. All buffer zones shown on the Mine Maps last revised February 22, 2015 shall be
maintained to protect adjoining property. These buffer zones, with the exception
of the installation of required sediment control measures and approved earthen
berms, shall remain undisturbed.

Page 4
4. Erosion and Sediment Control
A. Adequate mechanical barriers including, but not limited to diversions, earthen
dikes, check dams, sediment retarding structures, rip rap pits, or ditches shall be
provided in the initial stages of any land disturbance and maintained to prevent
sediment from discharging onto adjacent surface areas or into any lake, wetland
or natural watercourse in proximity to the affected land.
B. All mining activities, including the installation and maintenance of all erosion and
sedimentation control measures, shall be conducted as indicated on the Mine
Maps last revised February 22, 2015 and the supplemental information received
by the Land Quality Section on October 8, 2014.
C. An erosion and sediment control plan(s) shall be submitted to the Department for
approval prior to any land disturbing activities not indicated on the revised
erosion control plan or mine maps submitted with the approved application for a
mining permit and any approved revisions to it. Such areas include, but are not
limited to, expansion outside of the approved pit area, creek crossings, or
expansion of overburden or waste disposal areas.
5. Groundwater Protection
Groundwater monitoring wells shall be installed and monitored as deemed appropriate
by the Department.
6. Graded Slopes and Fills
A. The angle for graded slopes and fills shall be no greater than the angle which
can be retained by vegetative cover or other adequate erosion control measure,
structure, or device. In any event, exposed slopes or any excavated channels,
the erosion of which may cause off -site damage because of siltation, shall be
planted or otherwise provided with groundcover, devices or structures sufficient
to restrain such erosion.
B. Overburden cut slopes along the perimeter of any pit expansion conducted after
February 17, 1994 shall be graded to a minimum 2 horizontal to 1 vertical or
flatter and shall be stabilized within 60 days of completion. Furthermore, a
minimum ten (10) foot wide horizontal safety bench shall be provided at the top
of the rock and at the toe of any overburden slope constructed after February 17,
1994.
7. Surface Drainage
The affected land shall be graded so as to prevent collection of pools of water that are,
or likely to become, noxious or foul. Necessary structures such as drainage ditches or
conduits shall be constructed or installed when required to prevent such conditions.

Page 5
8. Blasting
The operator shall monitor each blast with a seismograph located at a distance
no farther than the closest off site regularly occupied structure not owned or
leased by the operator. A seismographic record including peak particle velocity, air
overpressure, and vibration frequency levels shall be kept for each blast (except as
provided under Operating Condition Nos. 813 and 8D of this permit). The following
blasting conditions shall be observed by the mine operator to prevent hazard to persons
and adjacent property from surface blasting:
A. Ground Vibration with Monitoring
In all blasting operations, the maximum peak particle velocity of any component
of ground motion shall not exceed Figure 1 (below) at the immediate location of
any regularly occupied building outside of the permitted area such as a dwelling
house, church, school, or public, commercial or institutional building.
I W.
Z
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0.7
0.6
0,5
0e4
0.3
0.2
0'1
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Blast Vibration Frequency., Hz
10.0
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Figure I Altemative biasting level rrftena
(Source modified from figure B-1. Bureau of Mines R 1 �

Page 6
Q
C.
A
Ground Vibration Without Monitoring:
In the event of seismograph malfunction or other condition which prevents
monitoring, blasting shall be conducted in accordance with the following
formulas:
W = (D/Ds)2 Dr, = D v2
W
V = 160(Ds)-1.6
W = Maximum charge weight of explosives per delay period of 8.0 milliseconds
or more (pounds).
D = Distance from the blast site to the nearest inhabited building not owned or
leased by the mine operator (feet).
Dr, = Scaled distance factor.
V = Peak Particle Velocity (inches per second).
The peak particle velocity of any component shall not exceed 1.0 inch per
second, for the purposes of this Section.
Air blast With Monitoring:
Air blast overpressure resulting from surface blasting shall not exceed 129
decibels linear (dBL) as measured at the immediate location of any regularly
occupied building not owned or leased by the operator outside of the permitted
area such as a dwelling house, church, school, or public, commercial or
institutional building, unless an alternate level based on the sensitivity of the
seismograph microphone as specified below is being used:
Lower Frequency Limit of Max Level,
Measuring System, in Hz in dBL
0.1 Hz or lower -flat response
134 peak
2.0 Hz or lower -flat response
133 peak
6.0 Hz or lower -flat response
129 peak
Air blast Without Monitoring:
In the event of seismograph malfunction or other condition which prevents
monitoring, blasting shall be conducted in accordance with the following
formulas:
To convert U (psi) to P (dBL):
U = 82 (D/VV0.33)-1.2

Page 7
P = 20 x log (U/2.9x10-9)
Confined Air blast/Overpressure (dBQ
for quarry situation:
A=P-35
U = Unconfined air overpressure (pounds per square inch).
W = Maximum charge weight of explosives per delay period of 8.0 milliseconds
or more (pounds).
D = Distance from the blast site to the nearest inhabited building not owned or
leased by the mine operator (feet).
P = Unconfined air overpressure (decibels).
A = Air blast or air overpressure for typical quarry situations (decibels).
The air blast/overpressure shall not exceed 129 decibels, for the purposes of this
Section.
E. Record Keeping_
The operator shall maintain records on each individual blast describing: the total
number of holes; pattern of holes and delay of intervals; depth and size of holes;
type and total pounds of explosives; maximum pounds per delay interval; amount
of stemming and burden for each hole; blast location; distance from blast to
closest offsite regularly occupied structure; and weather conditions at the time of
the blast. Records shall be maintained at the permittee's mine office and copies
shall be provided to the Department upon request.
F. Excessive Ground Vibration/Air blast Reporting:
If ground vibration or Air blast limits are exceeded, the operator will immediately
report the event with causes and corrective actions to the Department. Use of
explosives at the blast site that produced the excessive reading shall cease until
corrective actions approved by the Department are taken. However, blasting
may occur in other approved areas within the permitted boundary. Authorization
to blast at the blast site may be granted at the time of the verbal reporting of the
high ground vibration or high air blast reading if the circumstances justify verbal
approval. Failure to report will constitute a permit violation.
G. Flyrock Prevention:
The operator shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure that flyrock is not
thrown beyond areas where the access is temporarily or permanently guarded by
the operator. Failure to take corrective measures to prevent flyrock and
repeated instances of flyrock shall be considered a violation of the Mining Permit.

Page 8
H. Fyyrock Reporting:
Should flyrock occur beyond the permitted and guarded areas, the operator shall
immediately report the incident to the Department. Further use of explosives on
the mine site shall be suspended until the following actions have been taken:
1. A thorough investigation as to the cause(s) of the incident shall be
conducted.
2. A report detailing the investigation shall be provided to the Department
within 10 days of the incident. The report shall, at a minimum, document
the cause(s) of the incident along with technical and management actions
that will be taken to prevent further incidents. The report shall meet with
the approval of the Department before blasting may resume at the mine
site.
I. Studies:
The operator shall provide to the Department a copy of the findings of any
seismic studies conducted at the mine site in response to an exceedence of a
level allowed by these blasting conditions. The operator shall make every
reasonable effort to incorporate the studies' recommendations into the
production blasting program.
J. Notice:
The operator shall, when requested by the Department, give 24-hour advance
notice to the Land Quality Section Regional Office prior to any blast during a
period for which notice is requested.
9. High Wall Barrier
A physical barrier consisting of large boulders placed end -to -end or fencing shall be
maintained at all times along the perimeter of any highwall to prevent inadvertent public
access. In addition, a minimum 10 foot wide horizontal safety bench shall be provided
at the junction between the top of rock and the toe of any overburden cut slope
conducted after February 17, 1994.
10. Visual Screening
Existing vegetation shall be maintained between the mine and public thoroughfares to
screen the operation from the public. Additional screening methods, such as
constructing earthen berms, shall be employed as deemed appropriate by the
Department.

Page 9
11. Plan Modification
The operator shall notify the Department in writing of the desire to delete, modify or
otherwise change any part of the mining, reclamation, or erosion/sediment control plan
contained in the approved application for a mining permit and any approved revisions to
it. Approval to implement such changes must be obtained from the Department prior to
on -site implementation of the revisions.
12. Refuse Disposal
A. No on -site disposal of refuse or other solid waste that is generated outside of the
mining permit area shall be allowed within the boundaries of the mining permit
area unless authorization to conduct said disposal has first been obtained from
both the Division of Waste Management and the Land Quality Section,
Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The method of disposal
shall be consistent with the approved reclamation plan.
B. Mining refuse as defined by G.S. 74-49 (14) of The Mining Act of 1971
generated on -site and directly associated with the mining activity may be
disposed of in a designated refuse area. All other waste products must be
disposed of in a disposal facility approved by the Division of Waste
Management. No petroleum products, acids, solvents or their storage containers
or any other material that may be considered hazardous shall be disposed of
within the permitted area.
C. For the purposes of this permit, the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land
Resources considers the following materials to be "mining refuse" (in addition to
those specifically listed under G.S. 74-49 (14) of the N.C. Mining Act of 1971):
1. on -site generated land clearing debris
2. conveyor belts
3. wire cables
4. v-belts
5. steel reinforced air hoses
6. drill steel
D. If mining refuse is to be permanently disposed within the mining permit
boundary, the following information must be provided to and approved by the
Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources prior to commencement of
such disposal:
1. the approximate boundaries and size of the refuse disposal area;
2. a list of refuse items to be disposed;
3. verification that a minimum of 4 feet of cover will be provided over the
refuse;
4. verification that the refuse will be disposed at least 4 feet above the
seasonally high water table; and

Page 10
5. verification that a permanent vegetative groundcover will be established
E. Used, clean concrete shall only be allowed on permitted quarry sites that have
obtained a valid air permit and are allowed to operate crushing operations for the
purposes of recycling and reuse provided that the following conditions are met:
1. Appropriate quality control measures shall be taken when the used
concrete arrives onsite to ensure that all such concrete processed onsite
is clean, inert material.
2. Used, clean concrete shall be temporarily stockpiled and processed within
existing approved affected areas draining to existing approved erosion
and sedimentation control measures.
3. No used, clean concrete material shall be permanently disposed of onsite.
4. Any foreign material that may be found within the used concrete must be
separated from the concrete and properly recycled or disposed off -site.
13. Annual Reclamation Report
An Annual Reclamation Report shall be submitted on a form supplied by the
Department by February 1 of each year until reclamation is completed and approved.
14. Bonding
The security, which was posted pursuant to N.C.G.S. 74-54 in the form of a
$121,700.00 blanket bond (of which $26,200.00 is required for this site), is sufficient to
cover the operation as indicated in the approved application. This security must remain
in force for this permit to be valid. The total affected land shall not exceed the bonded
acreage.
15. Archaeological Resources
Authorized representatives of the Division of Archives and History shall be granted
access to the site to determine the presence of significant archaeological resources.

Page 11
APPROVED RECLAMATION PLAN
The Mining Permit incorporates this Reclamation Plan, the performance of which is a condition
on the continuing validity of that Mining Permit. Additionally, the Reclamation Plan is a
separable obligation of the permittee, which continues beyond the terms of the Mining Permit.
The approved plan provides:
Minimum Standards As Provided By G.S. 74-53
1. The final slopes in all excavations in soil, sand, gravel and other unconsolidated
materials shall be at such an angle as to minimize the possibility of slides and be
consistent with the future use of the land.
2. Provisions for safety to persons and to adjoining property must be provided in all
excavations in rock.
3. All overburden and spoil shall be left in a configuration which is in accordance with
accepted conservation practices and which is suitable for the proposed subsequent use
of the land.
4. No small pools of water shall be allowed to collect or remain on the mined area that are,
or are likely to become noxious, odious or foul.
5. The revegetation plan shall conform to accepted and recommended agronomic and
reforestation practices as established by the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment
Station and the North Carolina Forest Service.
6. Permittee shall conduct reclamation activities pursuant to the Reclamation Plan herein
incorporated. These activities shall be conducted according to the time schedule
included in the plan, which shall to the extent feasible provide reclamation simultaneous
with mining operations and in any event, provide reclamation at the earliest practicable
time after completion or termination of mining on any segment of the permit area and
shall be completed within two years after completion or termination of mining.
RECLAMATION CONDITIONS:
1. Provided further, and subject to the Reclamation Schedule, the planned reclamation
shall be to allow the quarry excavation to fill with water, provide a permanent barricade
(fence) along the top of any high wall, and grade and revegetate any areas in
unconsolidated material.
2. The specifications for surface gradient restoration to a surface suitable for the planned
future use are as follows:

Page 12
A. All areas of unconsolidated material such as overburden or waste piles shall be
graded to a 2 horizontal to 1 vertical or flatter slope and terraced as necessary to
insure slope stability.
B. Any settling ponds and sediment control basins shall be backfilled, graded, and
stabilized or cleaned out and made into acceptable lake areas.
C. The processing, stockpile, and other disturbed areas neighboring the mine
excavation shall be leveled and smoothed.
D. Compacted surfaces shall be disced, subsoiled or otherwise prepared before
revegetation.
E. No contaminants shall be permanently disposed of at the mine site. On -site
disposal of waste shall be in accordance with Operating Conditions Nos. 12.A.
through E.
F. The affected land shall be graded to prevent the collection of noxious or foul
water.
3. Revegetation Plan:
Disturbed areas shall be permanently revegetated as per to the following:
Permanent Seeding Specifications
Dates
February 15- April 1
April 1- July 31
August 1- October 25
Species
Korean Lespedeza
Fescue
Redtop
Winter rye (grain)
Common Bermuda
Lespedeza (unscarified)
German millet
October 25- February 15 Rye (grain -temporary)
Soil Amendments
Rate. Lbs/Acre
10
40
1
15
50
30
40
120
Lime: 2000 Ibs/acre or follow recommendations from a soil test.

Page 13
Fertilizer: 1000 Ibs/acre 8-8-8 or 10-10-10, or follow recommendations from a soil
test.
Mulch: All seeded areas shall be mulched using small grain straw at a rate of
2000 Ibs/acre and anchored appropriately.
Whenever possible, disturbed areas should be vegetated with native warm season
grasses such as switch grass, Indian grass, bluestem and gamma grass.
In addition, the permittee shall consult with a professional wildlife biologist with the N.C.
Wildlife Resources Commission to enhance post -project wildlife habitat at the site.
4. Reclamation Plan:
Reclamation shall be conducted simultaneously with mining to the extent feasible. In
any event, reclamation shall be initiated as soon as feasible after completion or
termination of mining of any mine segment under permit. Final reclamation, including
revegetation, shall be completed within two years of completion or termination of
mining.
This permit, issued June 25, 1973, renewed August 23, 1983 and renewed and
modified February 17, 1994 and December 8, 2004, is hereby renewed this 2nd day of
March, pursuant to G.S. 74-52.
0
ra y E. Davis, Director
Division f En r y, Mineral, and Land Resources
By Authority of the Secretary
Of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources