Shareholders of The Chemours Company are urging the chemical producer to assess the impacts on ecologically sensitive areas before plunging into a mining project, a move aimed largely at plans to mine titanium near the Okefenokee Swamp. Two environmentally responsible mutual funds filed a resolution that received 6.4% of the vote at Chemours’ annual shareholder meeting this week. While that might seem like a low number, it was enough to qualify the sponsors to refile the resolution next year and is being seen as a victory.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has released draft mining permits to Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals for the 700-plus-acre first phase of a proposed titanium mine. Eventual plans call for opening an 8,000-acre strip mine along Trail Ridge on the southeastern border of the Okefenokee.
While Twin Pines officials have said the project would not harm the swamp, opponents cite research showing the mine would threaten the swamp’s water levels, increase wildfire risks, harm wildlife, and release toxic contaminants into nearby surface and groundwater.
