Page 45 - John Corbett News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Amplifying Atlanta

As a proposed mine on the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp and its vast wildlife refuge nears final approval, Georgia lawmakers are considering a three-year pause on future permits to allow expansion of the mining project. The bill by Rep. John Corbett, a Republican from Lake Park whose district includes the swamp, would prohibit until July 1, 2027, any new permit applications in Georgia for the type of mining Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals plans to use to extract titanium dioxide just outside th

As a proposed mine on the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp nears final approval, Georgia lawmakers are considering a three-year pause on further permits that would allow the mine to expand. The bill approved by a House committee Thursday won't affect plans by Twin Pines Minerals to mine titanium dioxide on 773 acre mine outside Okefenokee and its vase wildlife refuge. The project received draft permits earlier this month from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Conservation groups and some scientists say any such mining could damage the swamp's ability to hold water.

As a proposed mine on the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp nears final approval, Georgia lawmakers are considering a three-year pause on further permits that would allow the mine to expand.

“It looks like we’ve got a good bill because both sides oppose it,” Rep. John Corbett said. “Nobody’s happy here.” The bill would not affect draft permits Twin Pines received earlier this month.