SC regulators reject challenge to gold mine

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Environmental regulators have rejected a challenge to a proposed gold mine in Lancaster County.

The State newspaper reported (http://bit.ly/1D2Jx3X ) that the board at the Department of Health and Environmental Control has turned down an appeal by the Sierra Club.

The agency said Monday that its board has endorsed a permit approved by staff members for Romarco Minerals Inc. to set up the gold mine on about 2,500 acres in the rural part of Lancaster County.

The Sierra Club challenged the permit, saying the $60 million that state officials have required the company to provide for a possible environmental cleanup is not enough.

Romarco says $60 million is more than enough for a cleanup.

Sierra Club attorney Bob Guild says the group is considering an appeal to the state Mining Council.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com