Twin Pines Minerals is planning to mine within the Okefenokee Refuge.
No activities associated with this project will be conducted in the refuge or anywhere close. The nearest point of the proposed mining area is located 2.9 miles southeast of the nearest Okefenokee boundary.
Trail Ridge acts as a natural dam for the Okefenokee Swamp.
Trail Ridge is not a dam for the Okefenokee, but rather a hydraulic barrier to groundwater flow. As groundwater is influenced by topography, it will continue to flow to both the east and west sides of the ridge.
Twin Pines Minerals is planning to mine 12,000 acres of property.
Twin Pines Minerals originally evaluated 12,000 acres to understand the environment and evaluate potential impacts of mining. The actual area for which permits are being sought to mine is only 582 acres.
Twin Pines Minerals will dewater the wetlands during the life of the project, with no plans to restore it to its native state.
There are no jurisdictional wetlands on the property. As part of the restoration plan, Twin Pines Minerals will grade the project area to pre-mined surface contours, fully restoring that area via stored topsoil, native species seeds and seedlings.
The hydrology of the Okefenokee will be impacted and/or destroyed.
Mining activities will not impact the Okefenokee Swamp.
Pollutants from mining operations will drain into and severely damage the Okefenokee Swamp and St. Mary’s River.
Twin Pines Minerals is required by federal regulation to maintain strict stormwater controls and adhere to best management practices. These plans will assist in protecting the Okefenokee Swamp and the area being mined.
Mining operations will pollute the surficial aquifer.
No pollutants will be discharged to the surficial aquifer before, during or after mining operations.
The impact of mining will permanently lower the groundwater levels within the surficial aquifer.
The surficial aquifer will be temporarily impacted in the immediate vicinity of the mine excavation. Once the area is backfilled, the groundwater level will return to its previous level.
Surface water and drainage patterns will be impacted by mining operations.
Surface water and drainage patterns will be temporarily impacted during excavation of a particular mine. However, as part of the restoration plan, all areas will be graded to recreate pre-mining surface water and drainage conditions.
Mining operations will impact threatened and endangered species.
Twin Pines Minerals enlisted the services of nationally renowned herpetologists and botanists with expertise in threatened and endangered species who conducted extensive surveys of the area. Gopher tortoises are widely distributed in the area, and their burrows have been located. Any tortoises impacted by mining will be relocated to an equally suitable habitat, and these areas, along with areas not impacted by mining, will be protected.
All jobs relating to this project are temporary with low pay and no benefits.
The proposed mining activities will provide long-term employment opportunities. These consist of full-time positions with benefits.