[Ferro-Alloys.com] A North Carolina group is calling on local residents to press Mississippi regulators to hold a hearing on what it believes is health risks connected to a silicon metal plant under construction in Tishomingo County.

WTVA-TV in Tupelo reports the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, located in Graham, North Carolina, is holding a meeting Saturday in Iuka to discuss the project.

It says the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality issued the permit for construction to Mississippi Silicon before receiving final air quality analysis.

Construction of Mississippi Silicon's plant in Burnsville is underway.

The facility is expected to be completed and begin operations in the next 12 to 18 months. Company officials expect to employ 210 people.

• [Editor:Yueleilei]