Hanson Aggregates Southeast LLC - Anderson Quarry

Hanson Aggregates Southeast, LLC (Hanson) applied to DHEC to modify its mine operating permit for the Anderson Quarry located at 1413 Hayes Road in Anderson, SC (TMS#1530009018).  Hanson requested the permit modification to expand its existing granite mining operation into a current storage area and add new acreage for overburden/stockpile storage.  This modification increases the current affected acreage of the mine by approximately 20 acres.  A modified reclamation plan to restore the site to a pond and grassland was submitted with the application. Between 2021 and 2024, ownership of the Hanson Anderson Quarry was transferred to Heidelberg Materials SE Agg, LLC. 

After careful consideration of all comments and information received from concerned citizens and local, state, and federal agencies, along with supplemental information provided by the applicant, DHEC has determined that the Anderson Quarry can comply with the South Carolina Mining Act and applicable mining regulations.  Having made this determination and being in receipt of the required financial assurance (bond), DHEC has approved the mine application and issued a modification to Mine Operating Permit I-000424 for the Anderson Quarry.  The final mine permit, maps, reclamation plan, and a summary response to comments are available below.  

DHEC appreciates the interest, engagement, and comments received from all stakeholders throughout our environmental permitting process for the Anderson Quarry. 

Mining 

DHEC’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) received an application from Hanson to modify its mine operating permit on October 19, 2021. The BLWM placed the application on public notice and began accepting comments in March 2022. The public notice was published in the Independent Mail newspaper in Anderson on March 8, 2022, and again on March 15, 2022. The public notice was also mailed to adjacent landowners, local and state government/regulatory agencies, and other interested parties.   

A public meeting was requested and held by DHEC to discuss the application and answer questions. Notice of the public meeting was published in the Independent Mail newspaper on July 10, 2022, and again on July 15, 2022. The public comment period was extended and remained open through August 17, 2022. 

The application to modify the mine operating permit and other information considered in the BLWM permitting process are available below: 

Public Meeting 

DHEC held a public meeting to discuss the proposed modification/expansion of the Anderson Quarry on August 2, 2022, at 6:30 pm, in the cafeteria of Flat Rock Elementary School at 115 Thompson Road in Anderson. The public meeting was an opportunity to have an informal discussion with DHEC staff prior to a final permit decision being made. 

The meeting began with a presentation on the mine application and environmental permitting process, followed by a discussion with DHEC staff that included questions and answers. DHEC's presentation from the meeting is available below. A well survey form was made available to residents to record baseline information with DHEC about private drinking water wells should an assessment of any potential impacts from the mine operation be needed in the future. 

Mine Operating Permit Decision

Prior to making a final permit decision, the BLWM completed its review and consideration of all information and public comments received in writing, as well as those shared during the DHEC public meeting held on August 2, 2022.  Supplemental information provided by the applicant was also reviewed prior to making a final permit decision.  
DHEC’s final decision documents are available below:

Additional Terms and Conditions of Mine Operating Permit

In response to information contained within the application, as well as by comments received by other agencies and communities during the public comment period, DHEC incorporated additional terms and conditions in the final permit. These additional terms and conditions are as follows:

  • If archaeological materials are encountered prior to or during the construction of mine facilities or during mining, the S.C. Department of Archives and History and DHEC should be notified immediately. Archaeological materials consist of any items, fifty years or older, which were made or used by humans. These items include, but are not limited to, stone projectile points (arrowheads), ceramic sherds, bricks, oyster shell, worked wood, bone and stone, metal and glass objects, human skeletal remains, and concentrations of charcoal and stones below the ground surface. These materials may be present on the ground surface and/or under the surface of the ground.
  • Temporary or permanent placement of refuse and debris (e.g., concrete, brick, asphalt) from off-site locations is prohibited without approval by DHEC. Topsoil fill approved by DHEC may be brought in from off-site sources only for the purposes of mine land reclamation.
  • Any segments of existing fence not in good condition (e.g., rotten posts, fence unattached to posts, fence cut) must be repaired or replaced. Existing fencing comparable to a woven wire fence may be used toward establishing the perimeter fence for the permitted area. Installation of any new fencing will be done in conjunction with the construction of the berms and may use four strands of barbed wire. Until the entire perimeter fence is complete, the operator shall have suitable barriers (e.g., earthen berms, large boulders, temporary fencing) around the pit highwalls. During reclamation, the outer fence around the permitted area may be replaced or removed, as appropriate. The perimeter of the excavated area will be securely fenced to control access to the site as water fills the quarry.
  • The operator shall maintain a 1,000-foot blasting setback from neighboring structures for the expanded pit area, as shown on mine maps for Mod 21-1.
  • The operator shall implement the dust control methods described in the revised Fugitive Dust Control Plan (FDCP), dated May 8, 2022 (Appendix B). If these methods are not adequate to control fugitive dust, DHEC may require further revisions to the FDCP at any time. 

Filing a Request for Final Review

DHEC’s decision becomes final fifteen (15) calendar days after notice of the decision has been mailed to the applicant, permittee, licensee, and affected persons who have requested in writing to be notified, unless a written request for final review accompanied by a filing fee in the amount of $100 is filed with DHEC by the applicant, permittee, licensee or affected person.

Additional information on requesting a final review by DHEC’s Board can be found in DHEC’s Guide to Board Review. 

Additional Information 

Questions about the quarry, modification, or DHEC’s mine permitting process may be directed to: 

Sarah Harris, Project Manager
DSWM - Mining & Reclamation Section  
DHEC Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM)  
2600 Bull Street  
Columbia, SC 29201  
Phone: (803) 898-3887
Email: harrissl@dhec.sc.gov  

Community Engagement 

DHEC is committed to providing meaningful ways to hear the questions and concerns of community members and share information on our permitting processes. DHEC offers multiple ways to connect with our staff during the permitting process and beyond, including: 

  • Speaking to someone by phone.
  • Submitting information and questions via email or mail.
  • Receiving additional information.
  • Visiting our webpage(s) to learn more.
  • Staying informed about local planning and zoning decisions affecting your community. 

For more information on current or previous sites of public interest, visit DHEC’s Environmental Sites, Projects & Permit of Interest webpage. 

DHEC encourages residents to continue to ask questions and share information with us. Staying engaged helps us to learn more about your community! 

Questions about community engagement in DHEC’s permitting process may be directed to: 

Donna Moye, Public Participation Coordinator 
DHEC Bureau of Land and Waste Management 
Phone: (803) 898-1382 
Email: moyedd@dhec.sc.gov 

Impact of Public Comments in DHEC’s Permitting Process 

DHEC values all comments made during the public comment period. Local community members provide a unique perspective and are valuable resources in addressing community concerns in the permitting process.  Becoming better informed is an important first step in providing effective public comments that may influence specific terms and conditions that must be followed by the owner/operator if a permit is issued.  

Effective comments are those that provide accurate, specific details about the site of a proposed project, inaccuracies in the permit application, errors in DHEC’s technical review or draft permit, and any other information demonstrating that a proposed project cannot operate in compliance with environmental regulations.   

It is important to understand that DHEC cannot make a permit decision based on a vote or how many comments are received. There are also some common issues/comments related to mining operations that DHEC does not have the regulatory or legal authority to consider when making a permit decision, for instance:  

  • Truck traffic, access to public roads, weight limits, and traffic patterns are governed by the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the local county. 
  • Industrial development and operating hours are governed by the local county through zoning and land use planning. 

Beginning a conversation early about these and other quality of life issues is an effective way for communities to work together with local government officials, their legislative delegation, mining representatives, and other interested parties to find solutions and reach common goals. 

Local DHEC Contacts 

To speak with local DHEC staff about any environmental issue or concern in the Anderson area, please contact our Upstate Regional Environmental Affairs Office in Anderson at (864) 260-5585.