The proposed work consists of directly filling 86.22 acres of wetlands and open water from expanding the existing mining operations at Haile Gold Mine and would also directly affect 13,124.08 linear feet of streams. In detail, the proposed modification consists of increasing the mine plan area by approximately 832 acres to expand surface mining pits and associated facilities, initiate underground mining at the Horseshoe deposit, optimize mill operations and increase ore processing rates, and improve water treatment and storage capabilities. The applicant has proposed to mitigate for impacts to wetlands and/or waters of the United States by a permittee-responsible mitigation plan that identifies three separate sites along Flat Creek in the Lynches River watershed for preservation and enhancement/restoration of outstanding aquatic resources. The project purpose is to expand gold producing operations from mineralized gold-bearing zones on the Haile property.
The Corps is also announcing the initiation of a public comment period on a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) that assesses the impacts of the proposed permit modification for the Haile Gold Mine. The Draft SEIS is available for review online at http://hailegoldmineseis.com/. Hard copies are available for review at the Kershaw County Library – Camden branch [address: 1304 Broad St, Camden, SC 29020 phone: (803) 425-1508
] and the Kershaw Depot [address: 106 N. Cleveland Street, Kershaw, SC 29067, phone: (803) 475-3201]. There are COVID measures in place at the library and Kershaw Depot for public safety; for any questions or if you prefer to make an appointment to review the Draft SEIS, please call ahead.