WQ0036755_Rescission Request_20221012

From:Kevin Klatt
To:Thornburg, Nathaniel
Cc:Kemp, Melanie
Subject:\[External\] Mason Sapphire Non Discharge Mine Permit WQ0036755
Date:Wednesday, October 12, 2022 3:12:55 PM
CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an
attachment to Report Spam.
SUBJECT: 15A NCAC 02U Rule Change Mason's Ruby and Sapphire Mine CLRS Macon County, North
Carolina Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0036755
Nathaniel,
My name is Kevin Klatt and I represent Mason Sapphire Mine LLC in Franklin NC. My brother Ernest
Klatt was on the board as manager, but I have taken his place. If possible respond further
communications to me at [e-mail]
I received an email from Melanie Kemp regarding our recycle permit at the mine because our recycle
permit was up for renewal. It was brought to my attention that small mines like ours might now fall
into a category that didn’t require and official permit because of non-discharge and volume of water.
We fall well under the 100,000 gpd. We have 2 – 2hp electric pumps (normally only use 1). We use
RL-SPRK200 230 Volt, 2 HP, 76 GPM. If we were to open at 9am and close at 5pm with both pumps
running at maximum output, we would be moving a maximum of approximately 73,000 gpd. In
reality we move half or less than that. We may only use 1 pump most of the day and add the second
if we have to open the 2nd set of flumes. In reality we seldom go over an estimated 40,000.
Our operation uses water and water alone. We have a dual pond system where in the event of heavy
rain the recycle pound has an overflow pond, doubling our ability to deal with heavy rain overfilling
our recycle system. We use no chemicals biological or not and simply have people hand was gravel in
screens.
We do have an emergency spill management plan in place. We have bags ready for sandbagging the
ponds, a Kabota tractor with front end loader and a Yanmar excavator on site to build berms to
isolate the water system from flooding and contaminating the ground and creek water.
In short, I would like to see if we fall into the criteria to become “self-permitted” and ask what if
anything else you may need to do this.
Thanks for your consideration
Kevin Klatt
Manager Mason Sapphire Mine