Community Concern Over Illegal Mining in North Carolina
Residents of Poplar, North Carolina, are increasingly frustrated with illegal mining operations that have led to river pollution and thick dust clouds, especially as the area continues to recover from Hurricane Helen.
A court hearing in Boone on Monday will decide the fate of Horizon 30, LLC, with potential outcomes including the closure of their mining site or civil and criminal repercussions. Just last Friday, the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) revealed that Carter Quarry’s mining activities in Mitchell County were found to be illegitimate and in violation of state mining regulations.
The North Carolina Department of Justice is pursuing a criminal injunction against Horizon 30, which has reportedly been operating along the Norichikki River for months, despite not having the required permits. Residents are concerned about the impact of this operation on their community.
Tessa Sharp, a local veteran, expressed her concerns, stating, “The mine is extremely harmful to the area.” She and her husband have observed significant differences between Horizon 30’s operations and those of another nearby mine, Sibelco North America Inc., which employs locals and contributes positively to the economy. Sharp voiced suspicions that Horizon 30 could be exploiting the recovery phase after the hurricane.
Since the start of mining in December, they noted a decline in their rabbits, attributing the deaths to respiratory issues caused by dust in the air. “It’s tragic,” Tessa said, citing her family’s struggle to rebuild their home, which sustained flooding damages from Hurricane Helen.
The couple had lived in tents and with relatives after the storm, which disrupted their lives significantly. Leo Sharp conveyed frustration about dealing with the illegal mining crisis while still trying to rebuild. “This is a hurting community, and we didn’t expect to face more issues during construction,” he remarked.
Another local, Cody Johnson, pointed out the visibility of silica dust accumulating along the tree line near the mine, creating a potential hazard for children in the area. “It’s concerning to see so much dust around where so many kids play,” he said.
Johnson also criticized Horizon 30 for misleading the community under emergency protocols designed to facilitate necessary repairs following the hurricane. “They’re trying to take advantage. It’s unethical,” he asserted.
Horizon 30 is based in Pennsylvania, and its CFO, Sean Chipman, wrote to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in May, suggesting that they had valid emergency permits which they were awaiting. However, local residents argue these claims are misleading and have highlighted the company’s lack of local hiring.
Tessa Sharp lamented that the regulatory authorities have communicated limited options to stop the mining beyond escalating the issue to the Supreme Court. “As a landowner, it’s troubling for my family and others,” she said.
The DEQ confirmed that Horizon 30 has been operating without the appropriate permits since December, despite receiving numerous violation warnings. Inspections revealed unauthorized mining activities leading to further enforcement actions, with the company failing to comply with the Mining Act.
Johnson, owning about 80 acres, reported finding dead wildlife since mining began, further emphasizing the ecological repercussions. Leo Sharp shared drone footage showing ongoing heavy equipment operations amid the controversy.
State Labor Department records indicate that Horizon 30’s mining license application is still pending due to missing information. A recent state labor official noted irregularities during a visit prompted by federal inquiries, raising questions about the legitimacy of the site’s permits.
“This incident underscores the importance of our field staff’s vigilance,” stated Labor Secretary Luke Farley. “If we don’t enforce the law, operations like this can be detrimental and erode public trust in our regulatory systems.”
