Jasper County's land, water and communities are once again in the crosshairs. Two proposed mining expansions – both connected to the Glover Mine – would add more than 246 acres of industrial operations near wetlands, creeks and other water resources. Public hearings are scheduled, and your voice is needed.

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Take Action

Thursday, September 10 – Rabbit Cleland Road 100+ Acre Expansion
Informal public meeting at 5:30 pm
Public hearing at 7:00 pm
Lakeside at Blue Heron, 153 James L. Taylor Dr, Ridgeland, SC 29936

Thursday, September 17 – 835 Glover Road 146+ Acre Expansion
Informal public meeting at 5:30 pm
Public hearing at 7:00 pm
Lakeside at Blue Heron, 153 James L. Taylor Dr, Ridgeland, SC 29936

Can't attend the public hearings? You can submit written comments to the the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (DES) at Hatice.Gezgin@des.sc.gov referencing the permit application numbers HQH-YD80-FV9JG (Rabbit Cleland Road) and HQ1-YQHB-7ECK7 (Glover Road).

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Why This Matters

These two proposed expansions would add more than 246 acres of industrial mining operations to an area already under significant environmental pressure. Both raise serious concerns that DES has not adequately addressed, including:

• Risks to surface water and groundwater. The Rabbit Cleland Road expansion is located near Hazzard Creek and other water resources. The application does not include a groundwater impact analysis demonstrating that mining operations would not harm nearby surface water or groundwater.
• Insufficient protections for wetlands. Both sites are located near wetlands and other surface waters, yet the applications do not include adequate safeguards to protect the hydrology and functional integrity of those ecosystems.
• An isolated review process. ​​These expansions are connected, but DES is ignoring the bigger picture by reviewing each as a standalone.
• A lack of required approvals. Neither application has secured the required Jasper County zoning approval for mining, and the Rabbit Cleland Road site falls within the county's newly established Euhaw Overlay District. It may conflict with local land-use rules. 
• An incomplete public record. The applications leave out key details on Coastal Zone Consistency Certification and water quality impacts. This information is crucial for anyone evaluating the true impacts of the proposed expansions. 

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Talking Points

SCELP has submitted comments opposing both permits, urging DES to deny them unless serious concerns about water quality, wetlands and community safety are addressed.

You don't need to be an expert to make your voice count. Personal testimony about why this area matters to you carries real weight. You may wish to raise one or more of the following concerns in your comment:

• No groundwater analysis has been conducted to ensure mining won't impact water quality.
• These two expansions should be reviewed together, not in isolation, to account for their combined environmental footprint.
• Mining this close to wetlands and surface water requires stronger safeguards than those proposed.
• The Rabbit Cleland Road expansion may conflict with Jasper County's Euhaw Overlay District and has not received the required local zoning approval.
• DES should require a full groundwater impact analysis and Coastal Zone Consistency Certification review before approving either permit.