The company operating the Mitchell County quarry says it should be allowed because it's repairing railroad damage from Helene. NC says it needs to obtain a permit.

Step into the depths of the earth as skilled miners extract stone from deep underground. Watch the fascinating process of stone mining, where raw materials are carefully shaped and prepared ...

Later in the day, police and the local mining officer reached the spot and seized two hyva trucks loaded with black stone, seven JCB and six compressor machines and huge quantities of explosives.