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Albemarle hosts Cleveland County Teachers at Appalachian State and Donates Pegmatite Boulder
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Albemarle sponsored a STEM Teacher Summit for Cleveland County teachers at Appalachian State University and donated a boulder sourced from the Kings Mountain Mine—an effort that underscores Albemarle’s commitment to fostering educational growth and supporting our community’s next generation of STEM professionals.
Thirteen middle and high school science teachers from Cleveland County gathered at Appalachian State on June 4 for the summit, designed to bring hands‑on geology experience into their classrooms. Dr. Marta Toran, senior lecturer in environmental sciences and geography at Appalachian State, guided teachers through North Carolina–focused lesson plans based on the principle: “If it doesn’t grow, it’s mined.”
Throughout the day, participants toured notable campus geological landmarks—Rankin Hall, the Webb Rock Garden and the McKinney Geology Teaching Museum. Dr. Andrew Heckert, professor of geology and director of the museum, led the teachers around the outdoor rock garden, showcasing Albemarle’s donated lithium-bearing pegmatite—the first ore to leave the mine in 40 years.
The teachers emphasized the lasting importance of connecting earth science to students’ own communities, particularly in a state as geologically diverse as North Carolina.
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2024 Sustainability Report Launched
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We’re proud to share the launch of Albemarle’s annual sustainability report, which outlines the progress we’ve made toward minimizing our environmental footprint, creating responsible and reliable products for our customers, and engaging with our communities to foster positive outcomes.
At our Kings Mountain site, we’re incorporating responsible mining practices and strong community engagement.
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| Learn more about our progress
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Last year we awarded 21 local grants in honor of the City of Kings Mountain's 150th Anniversary. This year, we will continue to highlight a few of these recipients every month to follow the contributions they are making to their communities:
Life Jacket Stations Installed Around Cleveland County
Albemarle provided a grant to the Healthcare Foundation of Cleveland County to establish five life jacket loaner stations at public water access points. Each station offers 25 U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets in sizes ranging from infant to oversized adult, available for public use at no cost. Two of these stations are located at the Broad River Greenway, a 1,436-acre nature preserve that attracts thousands of visitors annually. The remaining stations are situated at Moss Lake and Lawndale City Park.
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children. By increasing access to life-saving equipment, this program aims to enhance water safety and prevent tragedies. Albemarle is honored to collaborate with local partners to support the health and safety of our community.
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| Read the full story in The Shelby Star
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Concert in Patriots Park
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Albemarle was proud to support the concert recently hosted by the City of Kings Mountain. Community members enjoyed a free performance by Departure, a Journey cover band.
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Riverfest with the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation
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We enjoyed sponsoring the Kid Zone at the Riverkeeper event in May and meeting so many people and organizations making a difference in our community.
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| View more event photos
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Be Pro Be Proud
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Albemarle is proud to sponsor this free, hands-on career exploration event for students ages 13+, designed to spark curiosity and excitement around high-demand skilled trades.
The event is June 17 at Cleveland Community College and June 18 at Patriots Park.
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| Learn more about the event
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