PotashCorp’s PCS Phosphate-Aurora Division (PCS) has modified its earlier expansion plans near Aurora. The new plan would mine fewer acres and impact less wetlands. The plan currently before the Department of the Army would undertake an approximate 11,909 acre mine advance into the approximately 15,100 acre project area surrounding its current mining operation north of Aurora, in Beaufort County, N.C. The expansion would accommodate 37 years of mining at 5 million st/y and would impact approximately 4,135 acres of wetlands.
Previously, PCS had sought to advance into 13,961 acres, impacting 5,667 acres of wetlands. The Army Corps of Engineers had asked PCS for alternatives.
PCS Phosphate President Tom Regan told Green Markets that if all permits fall into place, permitting could be complete by the end of the year. However, this is contingent on a 45-day comment period and EPA approval, as well as permitting from the state. Regan noted that it had been a ten-year effort to get the new permits, eight of which included discussions with the Corps.
Regan said PCS still has about four years of mining to conduct, at about 5 million st/y at its current Aurora operations. Once the new permits are in place, it could begin work getting the new acres ready for mining in four years. He expects capacity to continue at 5 million st/y.
Regan noted that of each acre of wetlands disturbed, 1.8-2 acres would be restored or preserved by the company, which is similar to the company’s current permit. Still, the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation, the local environmental group that has been actively watching the plans, says it would be the largest destruction of wetlands in the state’s history. It also fears that any mitigation would come in other areas of the state and says the existing wetlands are needed for flood control. In addition, it fears that high levels of cadmium, arsenic, and chromium will be in soils used to reclaim mined lands, and that these will leach into the groundwater.
Ross Smith, PCS environmental affairs manager, told the local press that the company was disappointed in having to leave phosphate in the ground by altering its request. However, he indicated that the modification was necessary to assure that the Aurora complex would have rock available when it needs it.
Ironically, past expansion opponents have argued that PCS could simply import rock for the Aurora plant. Now with international rock trading at $400/mt versus a year-ago $50/mt, those arguments are off the table. Likewise, as noted by the Corps, Aurora would not be assured of the quality of rock it needs from imports.
The Corps has issued a 293 page Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) pertaining to the PCS expansion plans. The information is available at www.saw.usace.army.mil/wetlands. The Corps will be accepting written comments on the project through 5:00 p.m. July 7, 2008. They can be submitted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, Regulatory Division, Attention: File Number 2001-10096, P.O. Box 1890, Wilmington, N.C. 28402-1890.