An exploration and development company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of precious metals mineral properties, Romarco Minerals and Haile Gold Mine division is entering into the construction and production phase of its Lancaster County, South Carolina, operations Center.

Registered in Canada, but headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Romarco Minerals, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Haile Gold Mine, Inc., is investing $353 million to develop the Haile Gold Mine in Kershaw, South Carolina, creating an expected 270 new jobs.

Located at 7283 Haile Gold Mine Road in Kershaw, South Carolina, the Haile Gold Mine has been operated off and on since 1827 and is part of a much larger gold district. As of today, Romarco has delineated four million ounces of measured and indicated mineral resource with an additional 800,000 ounces in the inferred mineral resource category.

In addition to this $353 million investment to enter into the construction and development phase, Haile Gold Mine, Inc. has already invested $91 million in its Lancaster County operations and currently employs approximately 86 workers, a majority of which are from the local area.

“We are delighted to be a part of the community of Kershaw and Lancaster County. Since arriving in this area seven years ago, we have demonstrated our commitment to hire locally and buy locally. Part of our contribution and sustaining legacy to the community was the construction of a $5 million, state-of-the-art assay lab in Kershaw in 2011, the only certified lab on the East Coast of the U.S. We are pleased with the permitting achievements which allow us to move forward to develop this truly world-class asset. The project will generate an economic benefit to the county in excess of $68 million annually over life of the mine, which currently stands at 13.5 years, “ said Haile Gold Mine, Inc. President/CEO Diane R. Garrett.

Prior to selecting Kershaw County and Haile, Romarco completed a competitive assessment of multiple sites in both North and South America, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce. In 2007, the company selected the Haile site and began purchasing land. Today, Haile Gold Mine Inc. owns approximately 12,000 acres of land in the vicinity of the mining project. Haile Gold Mine, Inc. is Romarco’s primary asset.

As Haile Gold Mine prepares to develop its operations, the company has acquired nearly all necessary approvals needed to commence construction. On October 27, 2014, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted the Federal 404 permit, completing the Environmental Impact Statement process. Following nearly seven years of exploration, land acquisition and permitting, Romarco is prepared to enter the construction and production phase.

“It’s no secret that South Carolina is blessed with natural resources, and Romarco Minerals’ decision to expand their operations at the old Haile Gold Mine is an example of the positive impact those resources can have on our economy. We congratulate them on their decision to invest over $350 million and create 270 jobs in Lancaster County, and look forward to seeing them succeed in the Palmetto State,” Governor Nikki Haley said.

“Lancaster County has worked with Haile Gold Mine for nearly eight years in support of this project, and this announcement today is exciting for the Town of Kershaw as well as for the entire County. We know that HGM will be good stewards of the environment and will continue to operate a world-class facility in Kershaw at the Haile Gold Mine site. The HGM facility will utilize modern mining technology and will set the standard for future facilities to follow around the globe. The job creation, investment, and payroll from this company will spur additional economic growth in the Town and County, and we are excited about the opportunities to come with this project,” Lancaster County Council Chairman Larry McCullough noted.

“Haile Gold Mine has been a strong supporter of the Town of Kershaw and our residents for nearly a decade, and we’re excited about the decision by the Corps of Engineers and the State of South Carolina to approve permits so the mine can begin operations. We’ve worked closely with HGM to develop a plan and program that will protect the environment while creating economic growth in the Town of Kershaw and surrounding communities. The facility to be constructed at the site and the mining operations to come will be world class and operated by world class people. I also want to thank Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt and Governor Nikki Haley for their assistance on this project as well as Lancaster County and the LCEDC,” said Kershaw Mayor Wayne Rhodes.