NCG020792_COMPLETE FILE - HISTORICAL_19990602

STORMWATER DIVISION CODING SHEET
NCG PERMITS
PERMIT NO.
/v
DOC TYPE
lKHISTORICAL FILE
❑ MONITORING REPORTS
DOC DATE
❑ ) � 15 o � U,;�
YYYYMMDD

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Wayne McDevitt, Secretary
Kerr T. Stevens, Director
June 2, 1999
Mr. Jeffery S. Ferguson
Unimin Corporation
300 Crystal Drive
Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777
1 • •
NCDENR
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Subject: NPDES Stormwater Permit Application
Unimin Corporation Quartz Operation
Return Number 1010
Mitchell County
Dear Mr. Ferguson:
On March 25, t999 the Division of Water Quality received an NPDES Stormwater Notice of Intent for stormwater discharges
from the subject facility. Division staff and Mr. Mike Parker of the Asheville regional office reviewed the application and
determined that the permit coverage was not required. 'rhe facility stormwater discharges are covered under the existing
NPDES permit NC0000175.
Enclosed you will find the materials you submitted, including the $80.00 fee. If you feel the NOI is being; returned in error,
please contact Mike Parker at the Asheville regional office, 828-251-6208 ext. 256.
Sincerely,
Darren M. England
Stormwater and General Permits Unit
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cc: Mike Parker, Asheville Regional Office
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer
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Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
50% recycled/ 10% post -consumer paper

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unimin,
Unimin Corporation
300 Crystal Drive • Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(PHONE) 828/765-4283 • {FAX} 828/765-4755
!CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
DIV, OF �,1tiTFR QiJAl_i1Y
North Carolina Division of Environmental Management DIRECTOR'S OFFICE
Water Quality Section, NPDES Group
Post Office Box 29535
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535
Subject: Unimin Corporation -- Quartz/Feldspar Operation
Notice of Intent Requesting Coverage Under the Mining Activities
General NPDES Permit NCG020000
Dear NPDES Group:
Please find enclosed Notice of Intent requesting coverage under the mining
activities General NPDES Permit NCG020000. Please note that all sedimentation and
control structures, as well as wastewater treatment discharges are currently covered under
NPDES Permit No. NCO000175. However, the Land Quality Section stated that this
Notice of Intent must be submitted with the appropriate permit filing fee although all
discharges are currently permitted. Also, please find the attached general permit filing fee in
the amount of $80.00 made payable to NCDENR.
If you have any questions or require further information, please calk or contact me
at the above address.
Sincerely,
q1V
Jeffrey S. F Pguson
Environmental Engineer
UNIMIN CORPORATION
enclosure
cc: Carl Horvat; Roy Riddle; gill Shalter; C. F. Stover (Cover Letter)
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FOR AGENCY USE ONLY
0
DATE RECEIVED
YEAR
MONTH DAY
IAR
O
CERTIFICATE OF COVERAGE
N a1 I Q
DATEISSUED
YEAR MONTH
DAY
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
NOTICE OF INTENT REQUESTING COVERAGE UNDER THE
MINING ACTIVITIES GENERAL NPDES PERMIT NCG020000
Complete this Notice of Intent (NO[) and mail to the following address
North Carolina Division of Environmental Management
Water Quality Section, NPDES Group,
P.O. Box 29535
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535
The NOI must be accompanied with a general permit filing fee of $400.00. The check should be made out to the North
Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources.
Facility Owner/Operator Information:
Name: Unimin Corporation Quartz 0 eration
Address: Post Office Box 588
City: Spruce Pine State: NC
Zip: 28777
Phone: [phone]
Facility Location Information: I
Name: Unimin Corporation Quartz Operation
Address: NC Highway 226
City: Spruce Pine _ _ State: NC Zip. 28777
County: Mitchell
Phone: [phone]
Physical Location Information:
(Street address, state road number, distance and direction from roadway intersection, and attach a copy of a county map or
USGS quad with the location of the facility marked on the map.)
Located on the left side of NC Highway 226 (Bakersville Highway)
aonroximately 1 mile north of US19E Junction.
[Agency use only: Latitude Longitude I
NOI 02 PAGE 1
STF NCD0012F.1

. t.
Type of minerals mined at this facility:
uartz/feldspar
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC CODE): 1459
This is an X existing facility or a proposed facility.
If proposed, date operation is to begin
Discharges are to N . Toe River
storm sewer system, name of the separate storm sewer system)
(for activity for which the facility is primarily engaged)
(name of receiving waters or, if to a separate
A. Does this facility have any NPDES Permits?X yes —no if yes, NPDES No. NC 0 0 0 017 5
B. Are vehicle maintenance activities occurring on site?._.yesXno
C. Are mine dewatering discharges occurring?TyesX no
D. Are discharges of overflows from process wastewater treatment systems occurring?TyesXno
If yes, complete the following on the wastewater treatment system:
1. Please describe the type of process used to treat and/or recycle the process wastewater. Give design specifics
(i.e. design volume, retention time, surface area, etc.). Existing treatment facilities should be described in detail
and design criteria or operational data should be provided (including calculations) to ensure that the facility can
comply with requirements of the General Permit. Water treatment facility covered
under NPDES No. NCO000175
NOTE: Construction of any wastewater treatment facilities require submission of three (3) sets of plans and
specifications along with their application. Design of treatment facilities must comply with requirements
15A NCAC 2H .0138. 1f construction of wastewater treatment facilities applies to the discharge of process
wastewater, include three sets of plans and specifications with this application.
2. Does this facility employ chemical additives to flocculate suspended solids?X yes_no
If yes, please state the name, manufacturer and the quantity of average daily usage of the chemical additive.
Water treatment facility covered under NPDES No. NC0000175
3. Does this facility overflow only during rainfall events exceeding the 10-year, 24-hour rainfall event?
_yesX no
E. Does this facility employ any best management practices for stormwater control?Xyes—no
If yes, please describe Sed. & control structures are utilized to collect storm -
water, releasing thru perforated riser pipes encapsulated with stone.
NOI 02 PAGE 2
STF NCD0012F.2

F. Number of discharge points
Mine Dewatering 0 Stormwater 6
Process Wastewater Overflows
Please provide short narrative description of discharges Stormwater discharged from sediment
ponds utilizing ri -ra . Process wastewater is treated and discharged
under controlled conditions, covered under NPDES No. NC0000175.
I hereby request coverage under the referenced General Permit. I understand that coverage under this permit will constitute
the permit requirements for the discharge(s) and is enforceable in the same manner as an individual permit.
I agree to abide by the following as a part of coverage under this General Permit:
1. 1 agree to abide by the approved Mining Permit for this mining activity. (A copy of the valid mining permit must be
attached to this request.)
2. 1 agree to not discharge any sanitary wastewater from this mining activity except under the provisions of another NPDES
permit specifically issued therefore.
3. 1 agree that bulk storage of petroleum products and other chemicals shall have adequate protection so as to contain all
spills on the site.
4. 1 agree that solid wastes will be disposed of in accordance with N.C. statutes and rules governing solid waste disposal.
5. 1 agree that maintenance activities for vehicles and heavy equipment will be performed so as to not result in
contamination of the surface or ground waters.
I agree to abide by the provisions as listed above and recognize that the provisions are to be considered as enforceable
requirements of the General Permit.
I certify that I am familiar th the information contained in the application and that to the best of my knowledge and belief
such informatiog is trueAoomplete, and accurate.
signature
Carl Horvat
March 19, 1999
date
Plant Manager
name of person signing above (printed or typed) title
North Carolina General Statute 143-215.6B (i) provides that: Any person who knowingly makes any false statement,
representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan or other document filed or required to be maintained
under Article 21 or regulations of the Environmental Management Commission implementing that Article, or who falsifies,
tampers with or knowingly renders inaccurate any recording or monitoring device or method required to be operated or
maintained under Article 21 or regulations of the Environmental Management Commission implementing that Article, shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, or by imprisonment not to exceed six months, or by
both. (18 U.S.C. Section 1001 provides a punishment by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment not more than 5
years, or both, for similar offense.)
NOI 02 PAGE 3
STF NCD0012F.3

DAMES 9. HUNTJR.
i�
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF LAND RESOURCES
February 22, 1999
Mr. Jeffrey S. Ferguson, Environmental Engineer
UNIMIN Corporation
300 Crystal Drive
Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777
RE: Permit No. 61-04
Hawkins Mine
Mitchell County
French Broad River Basin
Dear Mr. Ferguson:
Your recent request to have the above referenced mining permit
modified has been approved. The modification is to increase the size
of the permitted tailings disposal area to include the new Disposal
Area "D" as per the New Tailings Disposal Plan dated July 31, 1998
and the corresponding maps dated July 30, 1998. A copy of the
modified permit is enclosed.
The conditions in the modified permit were based primarily upon
the initial application. Modifications were made as indicated by the
modification request and as required to insure compliance with The
Mining Act of 1971 . The expiration date, mine name and permit
number shall remain the same as before.the modification.
The issuance of a mining permit and/or any modification to it
does not supersede local zoning regulations. The responsibility of
compliance with any applicable zoning regulations lies with you.
As a reminder, your permitted acreage at this site is 474 acres
and the amount of land you are approved to disturb is 171 acres.
LAND QUALITY SECTION (91 9) 733-4574 FAX [phone]
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SECTION [phone] FAX [phone]
P.o. BOX 27687, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 2761 1.7687 TELEPHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
AN EQUAL OPPORTUN ITY ! AFFI RMATI V E ACTION EMPLOYER - SO% RECYCLED/I 0% POSY-CONSU M ER PAPER

Mr. Ferguson
February 22, 1999
Page Two
Please review the modified permit and advise this office at [phone]
should you have any questions concerning this matter.
Sincerely,
1�Tracy E. Davis, P.E.
State Mining Specialist
Land Quality Section
TEDltls
Enclosures
cc: Mr. Richard A. Phillips, P.E.
Ms, Barbara Rote-WRC, w/enclosures
Mr. Bradley Bennett-DWQ, wlenclosures

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF LAND RESOURCES
LAND QUALITY SECTION
PERM IT
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:
UNIMIN Corporation
Hawkins Mine
Mitchell County - Permit No. 61-04
for the operation of a
Feldspar -Quartz -Mica Mine
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: November 10, 2003

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 said, 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.
Definitions
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.
Modifications
March 5, 1 990: This permit has been modified to include the Geotechnical Investigation
and Mine Tailings Disposal Plan Report (S&ME Project No. 1211-88-088) dated October
7, 1988 and the corresponding Sediment Control for Tailings Disposal, UNIMIN Quartz
Plant (Westinghouse Project No. 1 211-88-088A) dated January 18, 1990,
November 10, 1993: This permit has been modified to increase the permitted acreage to
474 acres and to allow the expansion of the mining and waste disposal areas as indicated
on the Mine Maps received by the Land Quality Section on September 16, 1993.
February 22 1999: This permit has been modified to increase the size of the permitted
tailings disposal area to include the new Disposal Area "D" as per the New Tailings
Disposal Plan dated July 31, 1998 and the corresponding maps dated July 30, 1998.

Page 3
Expiration Date
This permit shall be effective from the date of its issuance until November 10, 2003.
Conditions
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 Dewaterin
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 stormwater 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 Section, Division of Water Quality,
to secure any necessary stormwater 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 quarry 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.

Page 4
C. The buffer zones shown on the Mine Map received by the Land Quality
Section on September 16, 1993 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.
D. A minimum 100 foot undisturbed buffer zone shall be maintained between
the North Toe River and any mining -related disturbance. In addition, a
minimum 50 foot undisturbed buffer zone shall be maintained between any
mining -related disturbance and any wetlands and watercourses.
4. Erosion and Sediment Control
A. Adequate mechanical barriers including; but not limited to diversions, earthen
dikes, silt check dams, silt 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. The erosion and sedimentation control measures shall be installed and
maintained as indicated on the Mine Maps received by the Land Quality
Section on September 16, 1993 to prevent off -site sedimentation.
C. All drainage from the affected area around the mine excavation shall be
diverted into said excavation or into the existing basins.
D. The Geotechnical Investigation and Mine Tailings Disposal Plan Report
(S&ME Project No. 121 1-88-088) dated October 7, 1988 and the
corresponding Sediment Control for Tailings Disposal, UNIMIN Quartz Plant
(Westinghouse Project No. 121 1-88-088A) dated January 18, 1990 shall be
followed.
E. The new Disposal Area "D",which will be an expansion of the existing
tailings disposal area, shall be constructed and stabilized as indicated by the
New Tailings Disposal Plan dated July 31, 1998 and on the corresponding
maps dated July 30, 1998.
Diversion herr
abutments an+
sedimentation
s with rip -rap and gravel outIMS. shall be installed alone the
at the toe of the disposal areas to prevent off -site
during the construction of Disposal Area "D".
G. Slope drains and associated erosion and sediment control measures shall be
installed as soon as feasible on each lift of Disposal Area "D" and such
measures maintained until the slopes have been permanently stabilized.
H. 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.

Page 5
A
A
7.
Groundwater Protection
Groundwater monitoring wells shall be installed and monitored as deemed
appropriate by the Department.
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 on
or otherwise provided with
groundcover, devices or structures sufficient to restrain such erosion.
B. Overburden cut slopes along the perimeter of any pit opening established
after November 10, 1993 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 (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 November 10, 1993.
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.
8. Blasting
The operator shall provide to the Department a copy of the findings of any seismic
studies conducted at this facility. The operator shall make every reasonable effort
to incorporate the studies' recommendations into the production blasting program.
The following blasting conditions shall be observed by the operator to prevent
hazard to persons and adjacent property from thrown rock or vibrations;
A. In all blasting operations, except as hereinafter otherwise provided, the
maximum peak particle velocity of any component of ground motion small riot
exceed 1 inch per second at the immediate location of any building outside of
the permitted area regularly occupied by human beings such as dwelling
house, church, school, public building, or commercial or institutional building
outside of the permitted area. The operator shall monitor each blast with a
seismogra

Page 6
B. Airblast overpressure shall not exceed 128 decibels linear (DBL) as measured
at the immediate location of any regularly occupied building outside of the
permitted area such as any dwelling house, church, school, public building,
or commercial or institutional building. If vibrationlairblast limits are
exceeded, the operator shall 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 have been 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
airblast reading if the circumstances justify verbal approval. Failure to report
will constitute a permit violation.
C. The operator shall take all reasonable precautions to insure that flyrock is not
thrown beyond areas where the access is temporarily or permanently
guarded by the operator. Should flyrock occur beyond the permitted and
guarded area, or the level in Item A. above is exceeded, the operator shall
report the incident to the Department immediately and further use of
explosive at the site shall be immediately suspended until the following
actions have been taken:
I. A thorough investigation as to the cause(s) of the incident shall be
conducted.
2. A satisfactory report detailing the investigation shall be provided to the
Department within 10 days of the incident. Said 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 site. Failure to take corrective measures to prevent
flyrock and repeated instances of flyrock shall be considered a violation of
this permit.
D. 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 off -site 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.
E. The operator shall, when requested by the Department, give 24 hour
advance notice to the Land Quality Section 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, adequately sized
rock berms, or fencing shall be maintained at all times at the mining permit
boundary 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.

Page 7
10
Visual Screening
A. 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.
B. In addition'to grasses, loblolly and/or Virginia pines or other acceptable
evergreen species shall be planted as deemed appropriate by the Department
to improve visual and noise buffering.
1 1 . 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 Land Resources considers the
following materials to he "mining refuse" (in addition to those specifically
listed under G.S. 74-49 0 4) 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 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;

Page 8
4. verification that the refuse will be disposed at least 4 feet above the
seasonally high water table; and
5. verification that a permanent vegetative groundcover will be
established.
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. Bondinn
The security which was posted pursuant to N.C.G.S. 74-54 in the form of a
$500,000.00 blanket bond 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 9
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, 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 place overburden over mined -out benches and stabilize such areas with
permanent groundcover. A permanent barricade (fence) shall be provided along the
top of any highwall and any areas in unconsolidated material shall be graded and
revegetated. The mine tailings disposal areas shall be stabilized and utilized as
wildlife habitat. The plant site shall be utilized as an industrial site or other
acceptable land use.
2. The specifications for surface gradient restoration to a surface suitable for the
planned future use are as follows:
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.

Page 10
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 D.
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 according to the Revegetation
Plan prepared by Ms. Susan J. Conley, Chairman of the Mitchell Soil & Water
Conservation District, dated March 3, 1992.
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 to International Minerals & Chemical Corporation on August 7,
1973, modified January 18, 1980, renewed March 3, 1982, transferred in its
entirety to UNIMIN Corporation on March 4, 1987, modified on March 5, 1990,
and renewed and modified November 10, 1993, is hereby modified this 22nd day
of February, 1999 pursuant to G.S. 74-52.
Charles H. Gardner, Director
Division of Land Resources
By Authority of the Secretary
Of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources