Mining Company Withdraws Application For Project Near Okefenokee Swamp, Vows To Resubmit

Twin Pines’ proposal to mine for titanium dioxide outside the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge caused an immediate outcry. The refuge covers nearly 630 square miles near the Georgia-Florida state line. Its tea-colored waters, cypress forests and flooded prairies draw an estimated 600,000 visitors each year.

Emma Hurt / WABE

An application to mine titanium near the Okefenokee Swamp in South Georgia has been withdrawn, and the mining company intends to submit a smaller one.

Steve Ingle, president of the mining company Twin Pines, said to be more conservative, “we have agreed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce the size of the permit area and resubmit new documentation for further review and evaluation as soon as possible.”

The original 12,000-acre proposal attracted protests from those concerned it would impact the swamp, which is a National Wildlife Refuge. It reminded opponents of a larger proposal to mine near the swamp, which was stopped by the federal government more than 20 years ago.