Beginning in 2013, ECT has supported the proposed extension of the 3M Company (3M) Pittsboro Mine in Moncure, North Carolina, by securing the necessary permits associated with this expansion. The proposed extension required an environmental assessment of up to 800 acres. The expansion will occur entirely within the approximately 2,200-acre footprint of 3M’s property.
Current operations at the Pittsboro Mine involve extracting a green-colored andesite mineral from the quarry, crushing, and processing it for use in the roofing industry. Overburden and off-specification rock, considered unsuitable for commercial use, are stored in stockpiles onsite. The proposed extension includes expanding the quarry by approximately 180 acres to the north and extending the fines stockpile by approximately 174 acres to the east and north of the existing fines storage area.
In addition, ECT will submit 404/401 applications to USACE and DWR.