Luck Stone Chester Quarry Mine

Luck Stone Corporation has requested environmental permits from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to construct and operate a proposed granite quarry off of Highway 9 in Chester County, approximately four (4) miles east of Chester, SC.  

After careful consideration of all comments and information received from concerned citizens and local, state and federal agencies, DHEC has determined that the Chester Quarry can comply with the South Carolina Mining Act and applicable air, water, and mining regulations.  Having made this determination, and being in receipt of the required reclamation bond, DHEC has approved the mine application and is issuing Mine Operating Permit I-002270 for the Chester Quarry.  The final mine permit, maps, reclamation plan, and a summary response to comments are available below.  Documents related to issuance of the air and water permits are also available below. 

DHEC appreciates the interest, engagement, and comments received from all of our stakeholders during the environmental permitting process for the Chester Quarry.  We encourage continued communication between the Chester Community, local officials and Luck Stone representatives as mining operations move forward.

Mining

The Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) received an application for a mine operating permit for the proposed Chester Quarry on June 12, 2019. Documents used in the BLWM permitting process are available below:

The BLWM placed the mine operating permit application on public notice and began accepting public comments in July 2019. The BLWM completed review of all information and public comments received in writing, as well as those shared during the DHEC community meeting held on October 17, 2019, and the DHEC public hearing held on November 19, 2019. Additional information provided by the applicant was also reviewed.

Questions about the mine operating permit and the BLWM’s permitting process may be directed to:

Mason Brandes
Phone: (803) 898-1369
Email: brandemd@dhec.sc.gov

Air Quality

An air quality construction permit allows for the construction and start of operations of equipment.  

On August 28, 2019, DHEC's Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ) received an application for an air quality construction permit for the proposed Luck Stone - Chester Facility aggregate mine and processing facility. The BAQ placed the draft air quality construction permit on public notice October 16, 2019, and the public notice period ended on December 4, 2019. The application used in the BAQ’s permitting process is available below:

On March 31, 2020, DHEC's BAQ issued a Department Decision, which includes construction permit 0640-0080-CA, the statement of basis for 0640-0080-CA, and the response to comments.

Water Quality

DHEC issues National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to minimize environmental impacts from stormwater runoff and other water discharges that may occur during construction and operation of a facility.

In July 2019, DHEC’s Bureau of Water (BOW) received a Notice of Intent for the proposed Chester Quarry requesting coverage under the existing general NPDES permit “Discharges Associated with Nonmetal Mineral Mining Facilities.” Documents used in the BOW’s permitting process are available below:

Questions about the general NPDES permit and the BOW’s permitting process may be directed to:

Brett Caswell
Phone: (803) 898-4396
Email: caswelbm@dhec.sc.gov

Community Engagement and Resources

On October 17, 2019, DHEC hosted an informal community meeting to discuss the proposed Luck Stone Chester Quarry and DHEC’s environmental permitting processes.  Staff from DHEC's mining, air quality, and water programs were available to listen and address questions from local residents about the proposed mine.  The following information was provided at this meeting:

On November 19, 2019, DHEC held a public hearing to accept written and verbal comments on the draft permits.

DHEC appreciates efforts by Luck Stone to engage with all stakeholders during the permitting process.  As shared with DHEC, Luck Stone has indicated its commitment to continued engagement with the Chester Community in the following statement:

“Luck Stone Corporation has committed to work with the community to establish a Community Interest Engagement Group (CIEG). The offered CIEG will be comprised of residential entity representation (Homeowner Association/HOA or equivalent) within a two-mile radius of the subject property and individual adjoining property owners. This group will meet at minimum on a quarterly basis or as determined by the CIEG. The CIEG will focus discussion on ongoing activities, future development planning, and to mutually share community opportunities for collaboration."

Questions concerning Luck Stone’s operations and community engagement efforts may be directed to:

Ben Thompson
Director, Greenfield Development
Luck Companies
(804) 640-6485
bthompson@luckcompanies.com
 

Local DHEC Contacts

To speak with staff in our local DHEC office, please contact Greg Harrington or Stephen Whisonant in our Lancaster Environmental Affairs office at (803) 285-7461.

Please visit the Industry Notebook: Quarry Operations for additional information about quarry operations and how they are regulated. For information on current or previous sites of public interest, visit DHEC's Environmental Sites of Interest webpage.