Permitting Process

 
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To construct, operate and close the proposed mine site in Kings Mountain, Albemarle must secure a series of permits or approvals from the City of Kings Mountain, several departments within the State of North Carolina, and the federal government. The permits are for the protection of the environment and the community to ensure the work associated with the mine complies with the highly regulated standards required by the governmental agencies.

Key Points:

  • Permits for the Kings Mountain mine cover areas such as water, air, noise and land with specific detailed categories/areas under each section as required by the different governmental agencies.
  • The review and approval process for permit applications can range from a few months to several years depending upon the complexity of the project and the permit information requirements.
  • The public may have the opportunity to comment on select permit applications for the mine project through the government agencies that offer a public comment process. Albemarle also encourages general feedback on the proposed mine project through various channels including our website, phone, email and a designated Project Center located in downtown Kings Mountain.

Preparing for the Permit

To prepare for the permit application process, Albemarle has developed an understanding of the existing natural environment by conducting an assessment of the Kings Mountain site. The collected data was used to inform mitigation and management of identified and potential environmental and social concerns and draft permit applications. Further assessment of potential impacts will be conducted as Albemarle performs an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.

How the Public Can Participate

Government agencies have varying methods and timelines for how the public can participate in the permitting process. Often the public can comment on specific permits online and during agency-held public hearings. For example, state regulatory agencies typically offer a 30-day comment period on a draft application. The agencies typically provide directions on how the public can participate via newspaper ads or through other notification processes.

Project Permits Under Review

The following permit applications have been submitted and are under review by federal, state and local agencies:

Agency: United States Army Corps of Engineers

Agency: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources

    Agency: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources 

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