WQ0006406_Application_20210806

PO Box 98 • Little Switzerland, North Carolina 28749
Phone: (828) ROK-MINE (765-6463) • Office: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail] • www emeraldvillage.com
8/6/2021
EMERALD VILLAGE GEM MINE
PERMIT #WQ0006406 — CLOSED -LOOP RECYCLE SYSTEM RENEWAL
RENEWAL APPLICATION AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
SINGLE PDF INCLUDES:
This page of additional information
Copy of current permit (WQ0006406)
3-page Renewal form (CLRS-R 02-21)
Attachment A —Site Map
Attachment E —There are 2 compliance schedules in Current Permit Section 1
(1) Renew 6 months in advance (doing that with this renewal application)
(2) Site map required (attached)
Additional information:
Section 4 — N/A
Section 5 — N/A
Section 6 — N/A
Attachment B — N/A
Attachment C — N/A
Attachment D — N/A
Attachment F — N/A
Attachment G — N/A
Attachment H — N/A
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING ELSE IS NEEDED. THANK YOU,
i i r

NORTH CAROLINA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
RALEIGH
CLOSED -LOOP RECYCLE SYSTEM PERMIT
In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Chapter 143, General Statutes of North Carolina as
amended, and other applicable Laws, Rules and Regulations
PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO
Emerald Village, Inc.
Mitchell County
FOR THE
continued operation of a wastewater treatment and closed -loop recycle facility consisting of:
two inorganic solids settling ponds in series; and all associated piping, valves, controls, and appurtenances
to serve the Emerald Village Gem Mine with no discharge of wastes to surface waters, pursuant to the
application received February 22, 2017, and in conformity with the project plans, specifications, and other
supporting data subsequently filed and approved by the Department of Environmental Quality and
considered a part of this permit.
This permit shall be effective from the date of issuance until March 31, 2022, shall void Permit No.
WQ0006406 issued January 19, 2007, and shall be subject to the following specified conditions and
limitations:
I. SCHEDULES
No later than six months prior to the expiration of this permit, the Permittee shall request renewal of
this permit on official Division forms. Upon receipt of the request, the Division will review the
adequacy of the facilities described therein, and if warranted, will renew the permit for such period of
time and under such conditions and limitations as it may deem appropriate. Please note Rule 15A
NCAC 02T .0105(d) requires an updated site map to be submitted with the permit renewal application.
[15A NCAC 02T .0105(d), 02T .0106, 02T .0109, 02T .0115(c)]
WQ0006406 Version 4.0 Shell Version 151201 Page 1 of 5

IL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. The subject non -discharge facilities shall be effectively maintained and operated at all times so there is
no discharge to the surface waters, nor any contravention of groundwater or surface water standards.
In the event that the facilities fail to perform satisfactorily, including the creation of nuisance conditions
due to improper operation and maintenance, the Permittee shall take immediate corrective actions
including Division required actions, such as the construction of additional or replacement wastewater
treatment or recycle facilities. [15A NCAC 02T .0108(b)(1)]
2. This permit shall not relieve the Permittee of their responsibility for damages to groundwater or surface
water resulting from the operation of this facility. [ 15A NCAC 02B .0200, 02L .0100]
III. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. The facilities shall be properly maintained and operated at all times. The facilities shall be effectively
maintained and operated as a non -discharge system to prevent the discharge of any wastewater resulting
from the operation of this facility. The Permittee shall maintain an Operation and Maintenance Plan,
which at a minimum shall include operational functions, maintenance schedules, safety measures and
a spill response plan. [15A NCAC 02T .1007]
2. Upon the Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification Commission's (WPCSOCC)
classification of the subject non -discharge facilities, in accordance with 15A NCAC 08G .0200 the
Permittee shall designate and employ a certified operator in responsible charge (ORC) and one or more
certified operator(s) as back-up ORC(s). The ORC or their back-up shall visit the facilities in
accordance with 15A NCAC 08G .0200, and shall comply with all other conditions specified in the
previously cited rules. [15A NCAC 02T .0117]
3. Public access to the wastewater treatment facilities and mechanical components of the closed -loop
recycle system shall be prohibited. [15A NCAC 02T .1000(a)(1)]
4. The residuals generated from the wastewater treatment facilities shall be disposed or utilized in
accordance with 15A NCAC 02T A 100. The Permittee shall maintain a residual management plan
pursuant to 15A NCAC 02T .1008. [15A NCAC 02T .1008, 02T .1100]
5. Diversion or bypassing of untreated or partially treated wastewater from the treatment facilities is
prohibited. [ 15A NCAC 02T .0108(b)(1)]
6. Freeboard in the two inorganic solids settling ponds shall not be less than two feet at any time. [15A
NCAC 02T .1005(b)(6)]
7. Gauges to monitor waste levels in the two inorganic solids settling ponds shall be provided. These
gauges shall have readily visible permanent markings, at inch or tenth of a foot increments, indicating
the following elevations: maximum liquid level at the top of the temporary liquid storage volume;
minimum liquid level at the bottom of the temporary liquid storage volume; and the lowest point on
top of the dam. [15A NCAC 02T .0108(b)(1)]
8. A protective vegetative cover shall be established and maintained on all earthen embankments (i.e.,
outside toe of embankment to maximum allowable temporary storage elevation on the inside of the
embankment), berms, pipe runs, erosion control areas, and.surface water diversions. Trees, shrubs, and
other woody vegetation shall not be allowed to grow on the earthen dikes or embankments. Earthen
embankment areas shall be kept mowed or otherwise controlled and accessible. [I 5A NCAC 02T
.0108(b)(1)]
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IV. MONITORING AND REPORTING RE EjR ENTS
1. Any Division required monitoring (including groundwater, plant tissue, soil and surface water analyses)
necessary to ensure groundwater and surface water protection shall be established, and an acceptable
sampling reporting schedule shall be followed. [ 15A NCAC 02T .0108(c)]
A Division certified laboratory shall conduct all laboratory analyses for the required effluent,
groundwater or surface water parameters. [15A NCAC 02H .0800]
3. Freeboard (i.e., waste level to the lowest embankment elevation) in the two inorganic solids settling
ponds shall be measured to the nearest inch or tenth of a foot, and recorded weekly. Weekly freeboard
records shall be maintained at the facility for a period of no less than five years, and shall be made
available to the Division upon request. [15A NCAC 02T .0108(c)]
4. A record shall be maintained of all residuals removed from this facility. This record shall be maintained
at the facility for a period of no less than five years, and shall be made available to the Division upon
request. At a minimum, this record shall include:
a. Name of the residuals hauler;
b. Non -Discharge permit number authorizing the residuals disposal, or a letter from a municipality
agreeing to accept the residuals;
c. Date the residuals were hauled; and
d. Volume of residuals removed.
[15A NCAC 02T .0108(b)(1)]
5. Noncompliance Notification:
The Permittee shall report by telephone to the Asheville Regional Office, telephone number (828) 296-
4500, as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours, or on the next working day following the
occurrence or first knowledge of the occurrence of any of the following:
a. Treatment of wastes abnormal in quantity or characteristic, including the known passage of a
hazardous substance.
b. Any process unit failure (e.g., mechanical, electrical, etc.), due to known or unknown reasons,
rendering the facility incapable of adequate wastewater treatment.
c. Any facility failure resulting in a by-pass directly to receiving surface waters.
d. Any time self -monitoring indicates the facility has gone out of compliance with its permit
limitations.
Any emergency requiring immediate reporting (e.g., discharges to surface waters, imminent failure of
a storage structure, etc.) outside normal business hours shall be reported to the Division's Emergency
Response personnel at telephone number [phone], [phone], or [phone]. Persons
reporting such occurrences by telephone shall also file a written report in letter form within five days
following first knowledge of the occurrence. This report shall outline the actions taken or proposed to
betaken to ensure the problem does not recur. [15A NCAC 02T .0105(1), 02T .0108(b)(1)]
WQ0006406 Version 4.0 Shell Version 151201 Page 3 of 5

V. INSPECTIONS
1. The Permittee shall provide adequate inspection and maintenance to ensure proper operation of the
wastewater treatment and recycle facilities. [ 15A NCAC 02T .0108(b)]
The Permittee or their designee shall inspect the wastewater treatment and recycle facilities to prevent
malfunctions, facility deterioration and operator errors resulting in discharges, which may cause the
release of wastes to the environment, a threat to human health or a public nuisance. The Permittee shall
maintain an inspection log that includes, at a minimum, the date and time of inspection, observations
made, and any maintenance, repairs, or corrective actions taken. The Permittee shall maintain this
inspection log for a period of five years from the date of the inspection, and this log shall be made
available to the Division upon request. [15A NCAC 02T .0108(b)]
3. Any duly authorized Division representative may, upon presentation of credentials, enter and inspect
any property, premises or place on or related to the wastewater treatment and recycle facilities permitted
herein at any reasonable time for the purpose of determining compliance with this permit; may inspect
or copy any records required to be maintained under the terms and conditions of this permit, and may
collect groundwater, surface water or leachate samples. [G.S. 143-21.5.3(a)(2)]
VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. Failure to comply with the conditions and limitations contained herein may subject the Permittee to an
enforcement action by the Division in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes 143-215.6A to
143-215.6C. [G.S. 143-215.6A to 143-215.6C]
2. This permit shall become voidable if the permitted facilities are not constructed in accordance with the
conditions of this permit, the Division approved plans and specifications, and other supporting
documentation. [15A NCAC 02T .0110]
3. This permit is effective only with respect to the nature and volume of wastes described in the permit
application, Division approved plans and specifications, and other supporting documentation. No
variances to applicable rules governing the construction or operation of the permitted facilities are
granted, unless specifically requested and approved in this permit pursuant to 15A NCAC 02T .0105(n).
[G.S. 143-21.5.1]
4. The issuance of this permit does not exempt the Permittee from complying with any and all statutes,
rules, regulations, or ordinances, which may be imposed by other jurisdictional government agencies
(e.g., local, state, and federal). Of particular concern to the Division are applicable river buffer rules in
15A NCAC 02B .0200; erosion and sedimentation control requirements in 15A NCAC Chapter 4 and
under General Permit NCGO10000; any requirements pertaining to wetlands under 15A NCAC 02B
.0200 and 02H .0500; and documentation of compliance with Article 21 Part 6 of Chapter 143 of the
General Statutes. [15A NCAC 02T .0105(c)(6)]
5. In the event the permitted facilities change ownership or the Permittee changes their name, a formal
permit modification request shall be submitted to the Division. This request shall be made on official
Division forms, and shall include appropriate property ownership documentation and other supporting
documentation as necessary. The Permittee of record shall remain fully responsible for maintaining
and operating the facilities permitted herein until a permit is issued to the new owner. [15A NCAC
02T .0104]
6. The Permittee shall retain a set of Division approved plans and specifications for the life of the facilities
permitted herein. [15A NCAC 02T .0108(b)(1)]
7. The Permittee shall maintain this permit until all permitted facilities herein are properly closed or
permitted under another permit issued by the appropriate permitting authority. [15A NCAC 02T
.01050)]
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8. This permit is subject to revocation or unilateral modification upon 60 days' notice from the Division
Director, in whole or part for the requirements listed in 15A NCAC 02T .0110. [ 15A NCAC 02T .0110]
9. Unless the Division Director grants a variance, expansion of the permitted facilities contained herein
shall not be granted if the Permittee exemplifies any of the criteria in 15A NCAC 02T .0120(b). [15A
NCAC 02T .0120]
10. The Permittee shall pay the annual fee within 30 days after being billed by the Division. Failure to pay
the annual fee accordingly shall be cause for the Division to revoke this permit. [15A NCAC 02T
.0105(e)(3)]
Permit issued this the 7" day of April 2017
NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
..............
S. Jay._.�,.,.
Zimmerman, P.G., Director...
Zimmerm
Division of Water Resources "" V
By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission
Permit Number WQ0006406
WQ0006406 Version 4.0 Shell Version 151201 Page 5 of 5

FORM: CLRS-R 02-21
Pursuant to 115A. INCAC 0 ,°q�'" 11"1 Wb' j if the application does not include all required information and the necessary supporting
documentation, the application shall be returned. The application and attachments shall be prepared in accordance with 1.
1" (fit 0 1liiill�, 1,5A NCAC 21:.�, and [Nvision Pofleies. For more information, visit the Water Quality Permitting Section's
Non -Discharge Branch �])si"t��,. The Applicant shall submit an electronic copy of the application and attachments uploaded as
a single Portable Document Format (PDF) file to 1:tI..M��;1: 1Giwi.�oy/u�ruul�S:llr)mlmm lllrau:lw .i:au��mwuu:(21 Vllaaw iiruITr'iir ,
or emailed to Non ]IINsclhatiuR°McC v if less than 20 megabytes (MB).
SECTION I — APPLICANT INFORMATION
1. Applicant: Emerald Village, Inc.
2. Permit No.: WQ0006406
3. Signature authority: Alan Schabilion
Phone number: [phone] Office
o............................. .......... _..................... .._------------ ....... ................. ...._._._...
4. Mailing address: P.O. Box 98
City: Little Switzerland
5. Contact person: Alan Schabilion
Primary phone number: [phone] Office
Title: President
Email: [e-mail]
State: NC Zip: 28749-
Email: [e-mail]
Secondary phone number: [phone] Cell
u
SECTION II — FACILITY INFORMATION
1. Physical address: 256 McKinney Mine Road County: Mitchell
City: Little Switzerland State: NC
2. Treatment facility coordinates to the sixth decimal degree:
Latitude: 35.8463470 Longitude:-82.128227' Method: Address matching
1. Billing address: P.O. Box 98
City: Little Switzerland
SECTION III — BILLING INFORMATION
State: NC
Parcel No.: 0777-00-37-4396
Zip: 28749-
Zip: 28749-
2. Verify the Applicant does not have any overdue annual fees:
reso:p re /%eater reso u]Ics jxmnft /i Al ej,,jgyj!j i:p
Pursuant to J 5 114C 0'1' .01 20(c), permits for renewing facilities shall not be granted if the Applicant or any affiliation has
an unpaid annual fee.
SECTION IV --- OPEN -ATMOSPHERE STRUCTURES
FORM: CLRS-R 02-21 Page 1 of 3

SECTION V — RELATED PERMITS
ATTACHMENT A — SITE MAP
Was the facility originally permitted or had a major modification issued after September 1, 2006?
❑ Yes — Pursuant to II 5.....�� �i " " N 1 ➢ i' ), submit a site map pursuant to the requirements in � ; ail " a' W 1J 1112 a 1 �I ). These
requirements are:
❑ A scaled map of the site with topographic contour intervals not exceeding 10 feet or 25 percent of total site relief and showing
all facility -related structures and fences within 500 feet of the treatment, storage, and recycle areas.
❑ Delineation of the compliance and review boundaries per II ,\ � 1C, C Q'20101 7, and 0108. ,
❑ Setbacks as required by a % tq �C 01 J 070
❑ Site property boundaries within 500 feet of all treatment, storage, and recycle sites.
® No — Skip Attachment A.
ATTACHMENT B — SIGNATURE AUTHORITY DELEGATION
Does the signature authority in Section I, Item 3 meet the requirements pursuant to ,, � �� � :..0 W 2.0 �..06(,I )?
® Yes — Skip Attachment B.
❑ No — Submit a la ,.; u!Lq, �qU_w° pursuant to 15,d_1 ;',. ails u� ­1,u (� '..) authorizing the signature authority to sign.
ATTACHMENT C — EASEMENT, ENCROACHMENT, AND LEASE AGREEMENTS
Does the Permitte �l e own all of the land associated with the treatment, storage, and recycle system?
® Yes — Skip Attachment C.
❑ No — Pursuant to A W,,/%( 0°T 01 1 6(c), provide a copy of all easements, lease agreements, and encroachment agreements
allowing the Permittee to operate and maintain the treatment, storage, and recycle system on property not owned by the Permittee.
ATTACHMENT D — AFFILIATIONS
Are the Permittee's affiliations of record correct? :..af'fi wati(m .
® Yes — Skip Attachment D.
❑ No — Provide the corrected affiliations and their contact information.
FORM: CLRS-R 02-21 Page 2 of 3

ATTACHMENT E — COMPLIANCE SCHEDULES
Does the existing permit include any Compliance Schedules? (See Section I of the most recently issued permit)
® Yes — Submit documentation that the compliance schedules have been met.
❑ No — Skip Attachment E.
ATTACHMENT F -, CIVIL PENALTIES AND OUTSTANDING VIOLATIONS
Does the Permittee have any existing civil penalties or outstanding violations?
❑ Yes (civil penalties) — Submit payment for the civil penalty, or proof of remission request.
❑ Yes (violations) — Submit a copy of your response to the Notice of Violation.
® No — Skip Attachment F.
ATTACHMENT G — INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER
Does the closed -loop recycle system treat and/or store industrial wastewater?
❑ Yes — Proceed to the next question.
® No — Skip Attachment G.
........_....__._ ........ �...... .............._ —
Has the nature of the industrial wastewater changed since the last permit issuance (i.e., changes in industrial process, introduction of
new materials or chemicals, etc.)?
❑ Yes — Provide a chemical analysis of the wastewater pursuant to the requirements in V ,,6� NCA 0211 , 0 I ( . Provide an
overview of the manufacturing process; an inventory of all chemical and biological materials used in the manufacturing process;
and an overview of the cleaning and treatment methodology.
❑ No — Provide an overview of the manufacturing process; an inventory of all chemical and biological materials used in the
manufacturing process; and an overview of the cleaning and treatment methodology.
ATTACHMENT H - SETBACK WAIVERS
Does the existing permit include setback waivers?
❑ Yes — Pursuant to � 5„,,A �4( �.4�::_ r "'' ;�� ,� � �; , , provide setbacks waivers that have been written, notarized, signed by all parties
involved, and recorded with the county Register of Deeds. Waivers involving the compliance boundary shall be in accordance
with NC,)( 11li 21:.., ,0107.
® No — Skip Attachment H.
APPLICANT'S CERTIFICATION
gym ,
I, _._.. .-- °_, .�. that this application
(Signature authority's name as noted in Section I, Item 3)
has been reviewed by me and is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that if all required parts of this
application package are not completed, and that if all required supporting information and attachments are not included, this
application package will be returned as incomplete. I further certify pursuant to q � R �� ' 2 (II ���:��� ), that the applicant, or any
pp P g P fY p � ��� " 1� .
parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of the applicant has: not been convicted of environmental crimes under; not previously abandoned
a wastewater treatment facility without properly closing the facility; not paid a civil penalty; not been compliant with any compliance
schedule in a permit, settlement agreement, or order; not paid an annual fee.
Note: The Applicant's Certification shall be signed pursuant to p, p mh .11NI _�_Q a C, .O I 0 q b �. An alternate person may be delegated as
the signing official if a letter is provided pursuant to 1, 1,d,�S 34( )( � O p 0,'
1. Pursuan
t to § d®.., and § :kp 1fl, any
person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any application package shall be guilty of a Class
2 misdemeanor, which Tp, y include a fine f�)t to exceed $10,000 as well as civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation.
Signature:
Date:
THE COMPLETVb APPLICATION AND ATTACHMENTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED AS A SINGLE PDF FILE VIA:
Email: Laserfiche Upload:
:w...(1wttf;r tfllml:tm�plr:m: +1 ttm:tp�lmc„1mmo:pm�Vo�:trhMfgm L:mlmtl;
Sw:l:ur:lltalmm IIII o::n:m2
FORM: CLRS-R 02-21 Page 3 of 3

ATTACHMENT E:
Emerald Village Gem Mine
#WQ0006406
There are 2 compliance schedules in Current Permit Section 1
1— Renew at least 6 months in advance. We are doing that with this renewal application.
2 — Site Map required, attached in this package.