Gaston County residents weigh in on Piedmont Lithium mining plans
Gaston County residents had their say Monday, albeit a brief one, concerning a proposed lithium mine near Cherryville.
State mining officials told the 100-plus residents gathered at the Gaston County Courthouse upfront that no decisions would be made at the public hearing.
They emphasized instead that the forum was but one part of the decision-making process on whether to grant a permit for mining to Piedmont Lithium.
State mining officials say they'll make their decision within the next few months.
If the state approves a mining permit, Gaston County commissioners would still need to approve a zoning change to allow Piedmont Lithium to start mining for the material electric car maker Tesla would use to make batteries.
Environmental officials leading the public hearing limited comments to two minutes each because of the dozens of people who signed up to speak. But even in those abbreviated comments, many people expressed their feelings, with a majority of them opposing the mine.
Those opposing the mine talked about environmental concerns, including the contamination of wells and how the dropping of the water table could make some wells go dry.
Positive comments about the mine came mostly from those either employed by Piedmont Lithium or working with the Belmont-based company as consultants.
One person, who did not seem tied to Piedmont Lithium, spoke in favor of the mine because he believe the United States needs to boost production. China now mines about 80% of the lithium used, he said.
Piedmont Lithium has been interested in northwest Gaston County since at least 2016 and has committed to gaining control of private properties in that area through buyouts and lease agreements.
The company now controls around 3,100 acres, according to Piedmont officials.
Geologists and engineers have long eyed the area as a potential boon to the growing electric vehicle market for its promising core samples containing spodumene, a mineral rich in lithium.
Piedmont Lithium's mining application exceeds 1,200 pages.
The following is a sample of some of the things people said about Piedmont Lithium's plans.
For the mine
"As a company, we believe electrification is part of the solution" to problems such as climate change, said Malissa Gordon, a Piedmont Lithium employee who works in community and government relations. She formerly worked 13 years with Gaston County Economic Development.
Emily Blackburn, a 2014 Cherryville High graduate, told how she was forced to work in Minnesota after graduating from Appalachian State with a degree in geology because of the lack of local jobs in her field.
She returned to Gaston County to work for Piedmont Lithium, which she said will create high-paying jobs for engineers and geologists like her.
"This is my home. I would never work for a company that was going to harm my home," Blackburn said.
Against the mine
"Once you crack this egg you will never be able to put it back together," said Bob Lancaster, who spoke about how Piedmont Lithium's high demand for water would lead to problems for residents who use wells.
"We don't feel like we've been dealt with fairly," said Sandra Foster. "It's time for Piedmont Lithium to step up, be transparent, and talk to us like we're educated people."
"I urge you to say 'yes' to life and 'no' to mining," said Lisa Baldwin.
"It's like an enemy has come into our beautiful neighborhood uninvited," said Elizabeth Carpenter, talking about how the issue has divided families between those who have sold their land to Piedmont Lithium and those who have not.
"Piedmont Lithium has never managed a mine and now they're asking for permission from the state of North Carolina to manage thousands of acres," said Eric Carpenter.
"We need to pick quality of life over profit," said Steve Banner.
Want to comment
The comment period is open through Nov. 26, 2021. Comments can be submitted via email to ncminingprogram@ncdenr.gov with the subject line “Piedmont Lithium,” by leaving a voicemail at 919-707-9207 or by mail to: Adam Parr, Assistant State Mining Engineer, Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources, Department of Environmental Quality, 1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612.
A Nov. 18 virtual public hearing will be held via WebEx. Event Password: NCMining (626-46464 from phones) Meeting Number (Access Code): 2429 910 6211
By Phone: +1-415-655-0003. Access code: 242 991 06211
You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-869-1823 or email him at kellis@gastongazette.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gaston County residents get their say on Piedmont Lithium mining plans
