TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – TSX-listed Romarco Minerals this week reported that the South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control had declined to consider environmental activist group the Sierra Club's request for a final review conference on the department's decision to issue a mine operating permit for the Haile gold project.

The department's decision to issue the permit had now become the final agency decision, paving the way for the mine and plant to be built.

“The Department of Health and Environmental Control stood by its thorough science-based review and the results of a lengthy, public process that culminated in the mine operating permit, including the reclamation plan and financial assurance package. We are pleased with the decision and continue to believe all questions and concerns raised over the past four years have been fully addressed, including the reclamation plan and associated financial assurance,” Romarco president and CEO Diane Garrett said on Monday.

The Sierra Club filed its request for board review on November 19, stating it had concerns over the amount of reclamation bonding required by South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). Reclamation bonding was based on scientific and technical data and pricing to assure that there would be funds available to the state to take over reclamation in the event Romarco did not complete its reclamation obligations.

The permit's financial assurance package of $60-million exceeded the company’s own estimations for the reclamation plan.

Within 30 days after receiving the SCDHEC final agency decision, any concerned party could file an appeal with the South Carolina Mining Council.

The Mining Council would be required to set a hearing within 20 to 40 days of the appeal and will give a written decision within 30 days of a hearing.

Within 30 days of the Mining Council’s written decision, an appeal could be filed with the Administrative Law Court.