The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has denied a mining permit for the Carter Quarry in Mitchell County.
Earlier this month, a superior court judge ordered Horizon 30, LLC, to stop mining without a permit along Highway 197 in Poplar. State officials say the company has complied with that order and has started reclaiming the site.
Despite social media claims, the NCDEQ confirms that mining along the Nolichucky River has stopped. The agency’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources is closely monitoring the reclamation work, which includes trucks and machinery on-site to bring the area back into compliance.
Officials note that trucks may still be seen hauling rock through the site, but they say that activity is tied to CSX railroad repairs and is not related to mining operations.
