The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) is set to conduct a public hearing on July 29, 2025, in Bakersville. The hearing will address mining permit application 61-22 from Horizon 30, which seeks approval to mine the Carter Quarry in Mitchell County.
If approved, the permit would allow operations on a 50.8-acre site with mining activities reaching a depth of 550 feet. The excavation area is expected to cover approximately 23 acres.
The hearing will take place at the former Bowman Middle School auditorium located at 410 S. Mitchell St., Bakersville. Registration for speakers begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the hearing at 6 p.m.
Comments regarding this application are welcome until August 8, 2025. Submissions can be made via email to ncminingprogram@deq.nc.gov with “Horizon 30” as the subject line. Alternatively, comments can be left by voicemail at (919) 707-9227 or mailed to Kelly B. Jonas, Assistant State Mining Engineer at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources | Mining Program, located at 1612 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612.
All feedback received through various channels including during the public hearing will be considered before a final decision is made regarding the permit’s approval or denial.
