NC regulators to hear from neighbors as they consider permit for new lithium mine

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A potential next step to open a new lithium mine in Gaston County is happening Tuesday.

North Carolina regulators will hear from neighbors as they consider a new permit.

Elevra Lithium, the company now leading the proposed mining operation, started selling some of the land acquired.

Opponents hoped that meant the company was throwing in the towel.

Then they learned about the public hearing for the last permit required by the state.

The state can approve the permit, amend it, or say no.

Rich and LeAnne Pembleton don’t get a vote.

But the couple who live downwind from the proposed lithium mining operation said they’ll tell the state their thoughts Tuesday night.

“A no,” said LeAnne. “A big no.”

They say current plans for a 1,500-acre operation near Cherryville puts the site just beyond their backyard. They have trouble believing plans to dig for lithium won’t pollute the air around their rural home where bees pollenate the wild flowers.

“We’d be living on the outskirts of an industrial park,” said Rich.

“We just want it to not happen,” LeAnne said.

Public comments will help shape the report to the state director of the division of air quality.

While anyone can read the state’s permit, many like the Pembletons say they don’t follow the scientific terms, and don’t trust the assessment.

“Nothing out of the range that needed to be addressed, which I clearly don’t believe,” said LeAnne.

Elevra Lithium’s Chief Sustainability Officer Monique Parker told Channel 9 they will take steps to make sure chemicals used in the mining don’t pollute the air outside of their property line.

“As we are forcing mining activities we will have water sprinklers in areas where there can be potential for exposure,” Parker said.

She said the state follows national air quality regulations and their models show the mitigation efforts are safe.

“In our cases, all the criteria pollutants, our number was less,” said Parker.

Neighbors say they are weary of the battle now entering its eighth year, but they won’t quit.

“For me the fight continues,” Rich said.

Neighbors who miss the meeting Tuesday night can still submit their thoughts through email by Friday.

If the air quality permit is approved, then the only hurdle for Elevra is convincing the county to rezone the property.

Once approved, Elevra will have to monitor water and air quality at the site and provide buffers for blasting.

The company expects to hire more than 400 workers once the mine is fully operational.

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