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Kings Mountain Mine Dewatering Completed as Planned |
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Dewatering of the Kings Mountain Mine open pit has been completed as planned, marking a project milestone. Albemarle successfully treated and discharged 1.57 billion gallons of accumulated rainwater that had collected in the pit since prior mining operations ended in the 1990s. All water was discharged in compliance with a state-issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, helping to protect Kings Creek and downstream water resources.
The dewatering process involved a multi-step water treatment system designed to meet regulatory standards before discharge as a precautionary measure to ensure water quality. Water was pumped from the pit to a temporary treatment plant, where it was filtered to remove sediment and other organic material and then processed through ultrafiltration to ensure clarity. Water quality was continuously monitored at multiple points between the treatment plant and Kings Creek. Discharge rates were carefully managed to preserve the integrity of the creek and the surrounding river basin.
A small amount of water is expected to remain in the bottom of the pit, fluctuating with the amount of rainfall received. As needed, Albemarle plans to periodically remove this stormwater from the mine pit.
Once operational, the Kings Mountain Mine is designed to collect and use stormwater to support most of the project’s operational needs. Groundwater or municipal water sources would be limited to essential uses such as drinking water, fire protection, and sanitary needs, reducing overall demand on local water supplies. |
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April 2024 |
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May 2025 |
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February 2026 |
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Meet Trevor Chesal, Sr. Director of Environmental & Sustainable Development |
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Most people rarely consider the full life cycle of a mine, but Trevor Chesal, Albemarle’s senior director of environment and sustainable development, has spent more than 20 years ensuring each phase is approached with care, responsibility and a long-term perspective. His work supports projects like the Kings Mountain Mine, home to one of the few known hard-rock lithium deposits of its kind in the United States and a site with a long mining history that dates back several decades.
Chesal was recently appointed to the board of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), an independent organization that measures mining performance across areas including environmental protection, worker health and safety, community engagement, human rights and transparency. Chesal emphasized the importance of creating projects that deliver lasting benefits for communities. |
| Learn more about Trevor |
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A Community Scholar's First Year-Year Experience |
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Philip-Mark Bryson, one of the first recipients of the Albemarle Kings Mountain Community Scholarship, is pursuing an associate in science degree at Cleveland Community College as a pathway to a career in civil engineering. Inspired by his father, a Cleveland Community College alumnus, Bryson chose the college for its affordability, accessibility and strong academic foundation. He selected the associate in science program to ensure his coursework would align with the expected engineering degree requirements at a four-year university. Bryson said the program has exceeded his expectations, particularly in strengthening his skills in math and chemistry through engaging, hands-on coursework, including advanced chemistry labs. |
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He said the scholarship played a critical role in his first year of college by easing financial stress and allowing him to focus fully on his studies.
“Tuition, textbooks and other fees have been almost completely covered,” Bryson said. “That support has made a huge difference.”
He encourages students considering the Albemarle Kings Mountain Scholarship to apply, noting that the college experience has been less stressful and more rewarding than he anticipated, in part because of the opportunity the scholarship provided. |
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Responsible Mining at Kings Mountain: Berms and Barriers
As Albemarle plans for the potential redevelopment of the Kings Mountain Mine, careful consideration is being given to how proposed mine features can integrate with the surrounding landscape. A team of geospatial consultants is designing landscaped berms, native tree plantings and other compatible features to help reduce the visibility of mine operations and enhance surrounding views.
These elements are intended to blend with the existing environment while limiting the visual presence of key mine components. Using a visual impact assessment, the consultants are evaluating current views from locations around the site and how they may change during construction and operation. Facilities such as rock storage areas, tailings storage and support buildings are expected to be the most visible, particularly from nearby roads.
By strategically placing berms and incorporating native vegetation that reflects the area’s natural diversity and seasonal character, the visual impact of the mine can be significantly reduced while adding to the overall landscape.
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Lithium in our Lives: GLP-1 |
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GLP-1 therapies are transforming how millions of people manage chronic conditions. Initially developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, the medicines are now showing breakthrough results in obesity care, driving rapidly growing demand.
As drugmakers work to expand access, Albemarle plays a supporting role as a global specialty chemicals leader, providing critical reagents used to manufacture small-molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients for next-generation GLP-1 treatments. Albemarle’s synthesis reagents are designed to support the full lifecycle of drug development, from early-stage research through commercial production, while meeting high standards for safety, reliability and scalability. |
| Learn More |
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Build-a-Bike |
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Our Research and Development team took part in a Build-a-Bike philanthropic team-building event in partnership with The Leaders Institute and the Kings Mountain Family YMCA. Team members worked together to build bicycles and raise donations to support local families, highlighting the impact of collaboration and community partnerships.
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Team Member Named to Two Community Organizations' Boards |
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This month, Margot Plonk, community education specialist, was appointed to the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland County, an organization dedicated to providing safe, enriching spaces for local youth. She was also appointed to the board of Kings Mountain Crisis Ministry, which provides assistance during critical situations.
We are grateful for these organizations, whose programs and leadership strengthen the communities where we live and work. |
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