Georgians face off against mining company

A new proposal to strip mine a 20 square mile stretch of land adjacent to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has been met with dismay from locals and conservation groups, who are already pushing back.  Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals has applied to the federal government for permission to extract “high quality heavy mineral reserves” from the land, which could have a permanent impact on the Okefenokee swamp, the largest blackwater swamp in North America.  A similar plan in the 1990’s by DuPont Co. was eventually halted following public outcry.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is listening to public comments on the proposal, but judging by the backlash its odds of coming to fruition are DRIFTING…