Okefenokee mining protection bills do not advance House

Okefenokee mining protection bills do not advance House

ATLANTA (WSAV) — Two bills proposed to protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from mining did not advance through the House Thursday. The bills were aimed at Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals’ plan to strip mine for titanium dioxide, staurolite and zircon around three miles from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge’s Trail Ridge. The Trail Ridge is “the ancient sand dune that serves as an earthen dam for the swamp,” GRN said, and is …

Panel hears pros, cons of Okefenokee mining ban

Environmental activists asked Georgia House lawmakers Monday to enact a moratorium on mining adjacent to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. But opponents of a proposed mining ban defended Alabama- based Twin Pines Minerals’ plan to mine titanium dioxide along Trail Ridge as an important source of jobs in a high-poverty area of southeastern Georgia.

Georgia House panel hears Okefenokee Swamp mining ban arguments

By Dave Williams, Capitol Beat News Service   Environmental activists asked Georgia House lawmakers Monday to enact a moratorium on mining adjacent to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. But opponents of a proposed mining ban defended Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals’ plan to mine titanium dioxide along Trail Ridge as an important source of jobs in a high-poverty area of southeastern Georgia. Two bills sponsored by state Rep. Darlene Taylo…