Conservation Fund Buys Okefenokee Swamp Mine Site Ending Project

The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit, has purchased 7,700 acres of land near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Georgia from Twin Pines Minerals, effectively ending plans for a titanium dioxide mine that had been proposed since 2019. This $60 million acquisition includes both the land and the mineral rights, ensuring the protection of the swamp's ecosystem, which is home to diverse wildlife such as alligators, wood storks, and bald eagles. The proposed mine had raised concerns from environmentalists and scientists who warned it could damage the swamp's water-holding capacity and increase drought risk. Despite a draft permit issued by Georgia regulators, the project faced strong opposition from conservation groups like the Southern Environmental Law Center and local communities. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and several advocacy groups praised the purchase as a major victory for preserving one of Georgia's most important natural treasures. The deal guarantees that the Okefenokee Swamp will remain wild and unspoiled for future generations.