The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) has announced a public hearing for the mining permit application 61-22 submitted by Horizon 30. The hearing is scheduled for July 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. in Bakersville. The application pertains to the proposed mining of the Carter Quarry in Mitchell County.
Should the application be approved, Horizon 30 would be permitted to operate on a 50.8-acre site, with plans to mine construction aggregate to a depth of 550 feet. The excavation area itself would span approximately 23 acres.
The public hearing will take place in the auditorium of the former Bowman Middle School located at 410 S. Mitchell St., Bakersville. Those wishing to speak can sign up starting at 5:30 p.m.
Details of the event are as follows:
– What: DEMLR public hearing on Horizon 30 mining application
– When: Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 6 p.m.
– Where: Former Bowman Middle School Auditorium, Bakersville
The comment period remains open until August 8, 2025. Comments may be sent via email to ncminingprogram@deq.nc.gov with “Horizon 30” as the subject line. Alternatively, comments can be left via voicemail at (919) 707-9227 or mailed to Kelly B. Jonas, Assistant State Mining Engineer at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Mining Program.
DEQ will review all feedback from the public hearing and other submissions before deciding on whether to issue the permit as requested, deny it entirely or approve it with modifications.
Further information about Carter Quarry is available online along with relevant maps.
