Nonmetallic Minerals Processing Plants

Nonmetallic mineral processing plants may be eligible for coverage under the general state or general conditional major operating permits if the following conditions are met:

  • A nonmetallic mineral processing plant means any combination of equipment that is used to crush or grind any nonmetallic mineral. 
  • A Nonmetallic mineral means any of the following minerals or any mixture of which the majority is any of the following minerals: Crushed and Broken Stone, Sand and Gravel, Clay, Gypsum Sodium Compounds, Pumice, Gilsonite, Talc and Pyrophyllite, Boron, Barite, Fluorospar, Feldspar, Diatomite, Perlite, Vermiculite, Mica, and Kyanite. 
  • It may or may not consist of any of the following: crushing, screening, conveying, transfer operations, internal combustion engines, generators, storage piles, and roads. 
  • The facility does not use dryers, grinding mills, air conveying systems, air classifiers, or calciners. 
  • The only method used to control emissions from the process equipment is wet suppression or water carryover. 
  • The stationary internal combustion engines are electric or fired on low sulfur (500 ppm or less) fuel. 
  • Sources exempt under S.C. Regulation 61-62.1, Section II(B).

Interactive Map of Nonmetallic Mineral Processing Plants

Industry Notebook: Quarry Operations

Criteria

General State Operating Permit

  • True minor source.

General Conditional Major Operating Permit

  • Particulate Matter (PM) is limited to less than 250 tons per year (TPY); and
  • PM less than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10), and PM less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) are each limited to less than 100 TPY.

How Do I Apply for the General Permits?

To request coverage under the General State Operating Permit or the General Conditional Major Operating Permit, select one of the following options:

Option 1: If your facility has already been issued an operating permit, download, complete, and submit the State Operating and Conditional Major Permit Renewal Application with the General Operating Permit box selected as follows:

  • If the potential uncontrolled emissions are below the major source thresholds select General State Operating.
  • If the potential uncontrolled emissions are above the major source thresholds select General Conditional Major.

Option 2: If your facility has completed construction and has not been issued an operating permit, download, complete, and submit the Operating Permit Request to request your initial operating permit.

Application/Forms

Tools