BESSEMER CITY, N.C. — A Bessemer City man said he's left in the dust. Over the past few years, someone bought the land across from his house and turned it into a dirt mine. He said the entire area is covered in a thin layer of dirt and dust.
James Moore is actively seeking help. Tucked away in rural Gaston County, he got a new neighbor four years ago. He said someone started a dirt mine at the plot across the street from his house.
"They are running dump trucks in and out of here like the Indy 500," Moore said.
The process has kicked up dirt and Moore said he was in a cloud of confusion.
“I can't come outside. I can't bring my daughter outside," Moore said.
Moore reached out to Gaston County and he said the county told him it was a state issue.
To be able to mine in North Carolina, you have to obtain a permit from the state. In this case, the land owner, Jason Lineberger obtained a permit. You have to follow certain guidelines.
Moore alleges because of the excess dirt, he isn't following the guidelines.
"Number one, keep the road clean and number two keep the dust down," Moore said.
It's highlighted in the permit, which says that water trucks may be necessary during mining operations to prevent dust from leaving the permitted area.
WCNC Charlotte reached out to Lineberger. A woman answered for one of them. When explaining the situation, she told us the wrong number. We called back again, and it went to voicemail. We have also reached out to NCDEQ, but we did not hear back.
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.