20211115_R-Carpenter

PIEDMONT LITHIUM MINING PERMIT HEARING
My name is Robert Carpenter and I reside at 319 Long Shoals Road, Bessemer City, about a mile from
the proposed lithium mine. I am opposed to the state granting the mining permit for a number of
reasons. I am not opposed to batteries, electric vehicles, or mining but am opposed to this project.
The land and resources will not be protected. Our natural resources —flora and fauna —will be forever
destroyed. Two creeks will be forever damaged and altered and runoff will flow into the South Fork of
the Catawba, which provides drinking water for countless citizens. The mine, about the geographic size
of downtown Charlotte, will restrict wildlife movements —deer, turkey, rabbit, fox, possum, etc. —which
will be trapped and their habitat segmented. The company has provided no plans for intervention for
natural resources. It is easy for others to say that our quality of life —seeing deer, turkey or other
wildlife in our backyards —has no significance to this issue. The loss of habitat and these animals will
impact the entire community and surrounding areas. Our world will never be the same. They have no
plans.
Human resources will be damaged. Water, noise, air, traffic, and chemical pollution will become
common place. Since most residents use wells as their source of water, once the mine is dug,
groundwater will seep into the open pit. Even though I am a mile from the mine site, my well and
others near me will be drained of water, and I will be forced to dig another well at my own expense or
make other arrangements. The suggestion that only wells within 500 feet of the excavation will be
affected defies water table science and of course limits their liability. While the company has proposed
a plan to bring city water to the area, this plan has not been approved and funding has not been
appropriated, nor infrastructures created. The lack of concern the company has shown toward the
residents is obvious in that no trust fund has been created to deal with emergency environmental
issues, such as destruction from rocks and debris, water contamination, wells running dry, noise
pollution, and air pollution with heavy metals. Without a plan or money, each resident will be on our
own to deal with the problems we encounter. Whether it is surface water from the creeks or
groundwater impacting our drinking water, no plans have been made for the persons choosing to
remain on their land. This company's lack of oversight is an example of the pompous attitude they hold
toward our citizens and county government.
I am a member of the Gaston County Historic Preservation Commission, tasked by general statute to
preserve historic structures and sites in our county. The company already owns a number of historic
cemeteries. Rumors that they had already destroyed one such cemetery so far has proven to be false.
Yet, their lack of concern for our historic heritage is well documented. The Commission asked me to
contact the company to open dialogue with them about historic sites in order to collaborate in the
planning for the mine. I emailed a number of times with Ms. Malissa Gordon. She ceased contact and
failed to respond to my and our Commission's concerns. My last email of May 16, 2021 went
unanswered and is included in this packet. My concern is that their attitude and failure to collaborate
with our Board will result in the destruction of numerous historic properties, damage to others on
neighboring land, and a restriction of access for interested researchers, family and others. Their track
record has not been dependable. They have no plan.

These issues bring me to my major concern: Piedmont Lithium has so far proven to be an unreliable
neighbor with little to no transparency. Their methods to secure land and leases have included
deception, half-truths if not outright lies, and various changes in their plans. While I understand that a
mining company's business model may include deception and confusion of the facts, their heavy-handed
interactions with property owners, superiority attitude toward our governing Board of Commissioners,
ignoring the Historic Preservation Commission, and providing multiple maps and plans has characterized
their company needing better organization and more research. Since so many maps and plans have
been offered, I would suggest that they in fact do not have a plan, which can be clearly communicated
to the stakeholders. While some level of dependability and competence should be present before a
mining permit be approved, the company has failed to provide the competency and their permit plan
remains unreliable. While trusting a corporate partner may be too much to ask, having some
understanding and perception of their purpose and plans should be a reality. These plans should also be
present before a mining permit is granted. I recommend for the reasons outlined, that you reject the
mining permit.
While I understand that their expertise in geology and minerology may be at a professional level, their
communication skills and planning are unacceptable. Because of the failures of their plan in the areas of
natural resources, human resources, our heritage, values, and communication, it should be rejected out
of hand. Yet, if their professional expertise is appreciated, moving forward would require major
alterations and additions to their plans which may include, but are not limited to, a trust fund for
residents, actions to mitigate destruction of the natural resources, further actions taken to limit
pollution as described above, requirements that the company communicate in good faith with all
sectors of the community, and a clearly defined scenario for the mine, its operation, and its effect upon
the human population.
For these reasons I humbly request that you support the citizens and the future of Cherryville Township
and Gaston County and North Carolina by rejecting their mining permit.
Robert C. Carpenter