Part of the proposed site of a mine near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The company plans to reduce the propoal's footprint.

Part of the proposed site of a mine near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The company plans to reduce the propoal's footprint. / GPB News

Mining company Twin Pines has withdrawn its application to mine near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and plans to resubmit an amended version. Environmental groups said they will watch the changes closely.Twin Pines Minerals withdrew and plans to resubmit its application near the Okefenokee.

In a statement, Twin Pines said their new application will have a smaller footprint.

St. Mary's Riverkeeper Anna Laws said the smaller area could reduce the impact on streams. And she hoped the new application will have more detailed plans to protect and restore the environment.

 

"A lot of it was not spelled out, right, so we couldn't trust that all of these things that we felt needed to happen would actually happen," Laws said.

 

Local leaders backed the mining proposal because of promised jobs.

Tags: Twin Pines Minerals  Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge  Atlanta  Georgia  Macon  Savannah