Georgians speak out against mining near Okefenokee

A water trail in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, which sits just shy of three miles from a proposed mine. (Emily Jones/WABE)

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Public commenters spoke out overwhelmingly against a plan to mine for minerals near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Southeast Georgia during a pair of public meetings this week. It’s part of an ongoing outcry against the mine from scientists, lawmakers and members of the public that has continued since the plan was first proposed in 2019.

In more than three and a half hours of public comment Thursday night, just one person – a representative of the Georgia Mining Association – spoke in favor of the proposed mine. A similar meeting Tuesday also saw commenters weigh in overwhelmingly against the mine.