HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Soilutions LLC has been in phase one of a mining expansion right by the Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve, which has caused controversy among residents on Edge Road.

The company met with Edge Road residents in Conway Friday evening to discuss the project’s progress and any concerns they may have.

The purpose of the discussion between Soilutions LLC and residents was to gain perspective and be good neighbors to each other.

Preston Kelly is a resident of Conway and kept up with the environmental concerns of the project.

“Our biggest concern right now is the dust. I know they are trying to keep it under control, but the dust will affect some of the endemic animals like the woodpecker,” said Kelly.

The mining expansion is set to go from roughly four acres to just over 24 with phase one almost complete.

Meeting with neighbors off Edge Road directly next to the site was crucial for them.

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Soilutions representative Ethan Epps said the meeting went as expected, and they gained the information they needed.

“This is the first community meeting that we had and I think it went well in the sense that the people that came are from our community, the residents of Edge Road,” said Epps.

The biggest issues noted were the dirt and the speed of the trucks coming on the road.

Many residents complained that Soilutions was not being a good neighbor being next to the Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve and their own homes.

“I grew up on the river, I grew up in the woods, so I just like to conserve and protect nature,” said Kelly.

Things got a bit heated when it came to conservation and enforcing good policies.

“I also came here with a couple of my own questions specifically for the hydrology, and how the mines affecting it, and also how the mines affecting the local flora and fauna in the area,” said Kelly.

One message was made clear to residents from operators; they do not know there’s a problem unless they are called about it.

“Communication is a two-way street you know, our phone numbers they have and they have had,” said Epps.

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services approved the mine’s expansion in 2023 after some backlash from local conservation groups.

County officials were also there tonight in case more concerns were raised over Edge Road.