Piedmont Lithium CEO: Mining operation is safe for residents
Piedmont Lithium has been in a three-year battle to mine for lithium that will power long-lasting batteries to support electric vehicles.
Some residents believe the plan would destroy their community and threaten their water supply.
PAST COVERAGE: Permitting process drags on for Piedmont Lithium’s mine in Gaston Co.
Gaston County reporter Ken Lemon was at the Montcross Chamber of Commerce Wednesday and spoke with residents who have been against the mining project.
Sen. Thom Tillis was also on hand to discuss the importance of lithium mining and national security.
Dean Crocker has lived on Saint Marks Church Road since 1972 and his son lives next door.
“My granddad, great and great, great granddad are buried up there,” Crocker said.
Crocker said he is worried that the landscape will turn into one of the largest mining operations in the country.
“I think it will be an environmental disaster,” he said.
Crocker said everyone in the area uses well water.
“When they start digging 500 feet deep, what’s going to happen to our groundwater?” Crocker said.
Lisa Stroup has a farm with 150 cows about 3 miles away from the proposed mine site.
“This is going to be catastrophic for our water system,” Stroup said.
Stroup said she is opposed to the plan and not clean energy.
Piedmont Lithium officials said they have been testing in the area, which shows their operations will not release dangerous chemicals into the water. Piedmont Lithium said it will continuously run water-monitoring programs.
Keith Phillips, president and CEO of Piedmont Lithium, told Lemon that modern mining regulations ensure safety.
“Even if you wanted to, you couldn’t build a mine that is environmentally unfriendly or unsafe,” Phillips said.
Phillips said Piedmont Lithium’s employees will live in the mining community and the company is working to ensure everyone nearby is safe.
“I don’t think people have anything to worry about,” Phillips said. “If it turns out there is something to worry about, we are going to fix it and change it because A, we wouldn’t get permitted and Bj, we don’t want to operate that way. "
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Piedmont Lithium is still waiting for the state to approve its mining permit.
It will also have to meet new mining standards implemented by Gaston County commissioners, who have concerns over Piedmont Lithium’s proposed mining operation.
Opponents said they hope the permits are rejected.
VIDEO: Residents worry about keeping homes if lithium mining restarts in Kings Mountain
