DHEC’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management and Bureau of Air Quality will hold a joint public hearing on November 30, 2023, at 7:00 PM, to accept oral and written comments on the mine permit application and draft air permit. A joint public meeting will be held from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM prior to the public hearing.

These events will be held at The Venue at West Creek located at 1120 Plantation Lane in Batesburg-Leesville. Sign-in and an opportunity to meet DHEC staff will begin at 5:30 PM. (Please note that the former address of 160 Plantation Lane was changed by Saluda County for purposes of enhancing its 911 Emergency Services Operations.) 

The public meeting is informal and provides an opportunity for participants to have a discussion with DHEC staff about the proposed mine and environmental permitting process prior to giving comments at the public hearing. The meeting will begin with a DHEC presentation followed by a time to ask questions.

The public hearing is formal and provides an opportunity for participants to make oral comments that will be heard by DHEC staff and recorded by a court reporter. There will be no questions and answers during the public hearing. DHEC values each participant’s involvement in the public hearing and will conduct it in a respectful, orderly manner with reasonable limits on the length of comments, if necessary.