Hale Gold Mine presents operations, local hiring and a $250,000 MUSC residency gift to Kershaw County council
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Summary
Representatives from Hale Gold Mine described the mine's operations (about 900 employees locally, 212,000 ounces produced last year), conservation plans for thousands of acres and a $250,000 agreement with MUSC to support rural medical residencies.
Joey Bird, senior adviser for community relations and land development for Hale Gold Mine, and Tylee Tracer Anderson, external affairs and social program superintendent, presented the mine's history, workforce and local contributions to the Kershaw County Council.
Bird said Hale (operated by Oceana/Oceano/parent company references in the packet) is currently the only operating gold mine east of the Mississippi River and described production and capacity: the company produced roughly 212,000 ounces of gold in the prior year and projects similar annual production over the next decade, with several thousand acres permitted for operations and additional acreage designated or planned for conservation. Bird also described a local workforce (about 900 employees plus roughly 200 contractors) and conservation work, including relocating a historic 1919 schoolhouse onto downtown Kershaw for preservation.
Tylee Tracer Anderson said the company supports about 83 local organizations and highlighted a recently signed agreement with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), in which Hale will provide $250,000 to support residency training aimed at increasing doctors in rural areas. She said Hale participates in a range of conservation and community support programs and offered to coordinate tours and meetings with council members.
Council members thanked the presenters, asked about tours and compliance with public meeting notice requirements for any county tour, and noted local hiring and economic impacts. Staff and council agreed to follow up on logistics for a possible site tour and further community engagement.
