Economic Impact

Haile Gold Mine: Benefiting Lancaster County, the Surrounding Region and South Carolina

The historic Haile Gold Mine was one of the first operating gold mines in the U.S., and during the late 19th century, was the most productive and profitable mine east of the Mississippi.

Now, OceanGold is reopening the Haile Gold Mine with an initial investment of more than $380 million in development, equipment and construction. That investment positively benefits the local community with an economic impact of more than $87 million per year. It’s a new day for Haile, and for the town of Kershaw, Lancaster County and the state of South Carolina.

Employing more than 450 people

Over the years, we have put thousands of people to work at Haile, from heavy machinery operators, chemists, environmental experts and exploration specialists, to health and safety managers, surveyors, security staff and construction personnel.

Today, more than 450 people are employed at the Haile Gold Mine, and 84% of our employees live in Lancaster County and the surrounding areas. We are neighbors, friends, volunteers, customers and leaders within the community.

Spending more than $3,000,000 each month

Haile spends more than $3 million per month locally through labor and the purchase of local goods and services. That astounding figure doesn’t even account for the individual spending of our employees and contractors who also make a range of purchases, from new homes and new cars to groceries and gasoline.

Generating more than $87,000,000 each year in economic impact

Haile generates roughly $87 million annually in direct and indirect revenue in local counties, which has led to new opportunities to improve support for schools, police departments, fire departments, and other key civic initiatives.

In preparation for this economic impact, we’ve worked closely with leaders from Kershaw’s town government and Chamber of Commerce, local banking institutions and state agencies to ensure that businesses in our community are kept up to date on our operations.

Our employees donate 100’s of hours each year in schools, civic and volunteer organizations.

Our employees are committed to the community and to volunteering, whether simply lending a neighbor a hand, serving on the Kershaw Chamber Board, volunteering with the fire department or in local schools, or simply loaning (setting up and taking down, too!) chairs, tables and tents for events around the area. It’s part of being good neighbors.

Haile is proud to generate wide-ranging social and economic benefits for the town of Kershaw, Lancaster County and the state of South Carolina. We’re deeply grateful for the opportunities to provide employment for so many local residents and growth in the community, whether in the schools, new restaurants and other businesses, or the playground where neighborhood children play.