The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has in recent years erroneously issued dozens of general mine operation permits for mines in the state’s coastal counties, including one for the Edge Road mine next to the Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve outside Myrtle Beach.

After DHEC rescinded the permit for the mine, located near Highway 90 north of International Drive, the operators continued to work without a valid permit.

The 4.8-acre Edge Road mine, operated by Soilutions, was given a general mine operating permit (GP1 permit) on Sept. 16, 2021, which is required for small nonmetallic mines of five acres or less.

‍