HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — The growth in Horry County is impacting it in so many ways, that some may not even be noticeable to the average resident or transplant.

To make this growth possible, there needs to be a foundation, and that’s where sand mining comes in. Homes, roads, and basically any low-lying community on deck to be developed need a foundation.A majority of the time, that is clay or sand. In December 2020, the sand mining industry in Horry County changed dramatically.

Following a lawsuit by the operators of the Red Bluff Mine, the Horry County council was forced to cut back its local mining permit process. What happened was actually an overhaul of the local rules and the county essentially exiting the business of regulating mines.

At the time, some council members attempted to challenge the decision.