HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-13-2005-6aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 13, 2005
Action Agen a
Item No. _
SUBJECT: Resolution Honoring Piedmont Minerals
DEPARTMENT: Economic Development PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dianne Reid, 245-2326
PURPOSE: To recognize Piedmont Minerals, a mining operation located in Hillsborough, for its
significant water conservation efforts.
BACKGROUND: Piedmont Minerals owns 165 acres of land just across the Eno from
downtown Hillsborough, with approximately 65 acres permitted for mining. The mine was
established in 1952, and aprocessing/grinding facility was built in the 1960s.
Three minerals are mined at the site: pyropholite, andalucite, and seracite. All three minerals
are processed and used in ceramics and/or brick manufacturing. The Hillsborough mine is the
only deposit of andalucite - valued for its heat resistance - in the United States. In addition to
its mined products, Piedmont Minerals imports bauxite from China and South America, which it
grinds for its parent company, Resco, headquartered in Pittsburgh.
In the summer of 2004, Piedmont Minerals changed its dust collection process from a wet mist
dust suppression system to a dry bagging system. As a result of this innovation, the company's
water usage was reduced from approximately 100,000 gallons per day to under 15,000 gallons
per day.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the attached
resolution commending Piedmont Minerals for its dramatic reduction in water usage and
authorize the Chair to sign the resolution,.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION HONORING PIEDMONT MINERALS
WHEREAS, Piedmont Minerals had operated a mine in Hillsborough for over fifty years and a
processing/grinding plant since 1968, and
WHEREAS, three minerals are mined and processed at the site: pyropholite, andalucite, and
seracite, and
WHEREAS, the Hillsborough mine has the only deposit of andalucite in the United States, and
WHEREAS, all three minerals are used in the manufacture of ceramics and brick, helping
increase durability and heat resistance, and
WHEREAS, Piedmont Minerals currently employs 18 people, and
WHEREAS, as a result of changing its dust collection process in 2004 from a wet mist dust
suppression system to a dry bagging system, Piedmont Minerals water usage dropped from
approximately 100,000 gallons per day to under 15,000 gallons per day,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
formally commends Piedmont Minerals and its Plant Manager, Bob Atz, for its dramatic
reduction in water usage.
This the 13th day of December 2005.
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners