In 2018, Twin Pines LLC proposed a plan to conduct phased mining from south to north on Trail Ridge, starting just above GA State Route 94 west of the town of St. George in Charlton County. The high density of wetlands on this property created federal wetland permitting issues under the US Clean Water Act; these were complicated by shifting definitions of jurisdictional wetlands (“Waters of the United States”) under successive federal administrations. As of now, the USACE has determined that none of the wetlands on the proposed mine site fall under Clean Water Act jurisdiction, and the surface mining permit is under review by Georgia EPD: Twin Pines | Environmental Protection Division (georgia.gov).
On Jan. 19, 2023 the Georgia EPD opened its 60 day comment period to seek public input on whether or not it should issue a permit for a proposed mine. Individuals can comment by emailing: twinpines.comment@dnr.ga.gov.
On Feb. 20, 2023, eleven southeastern hydrologists published a letter to Georgia EPD and interested parties concerning the appropriate streamflow data for assessing how the proposed TPM LLC mine groundwater withdrawals will affect Okefenokee Swamp hydrology. The letter can be accessed here.
On February 9, 2024, Georgia EPD issued draft permits for the proposed TPM LLC mine, and posted the permits and permit documents for a 60-day public comment period. Currently, EPD is reviewing these public comments and will issue a response when their review is complete. In the 2024 session, the Georgia legislature considered two bills to restrict mining on Trail Ridge, but neither bill advanced.
On April 9, 2024, the United States Department of Interior submitted comments on the proposed permits and mining plan. The Department of Interior letter can be accessed here.
On March 27, 2024, RBC affiliate Dr. Rhett Jackson submitted to Georgia EPD comments on the deficiencies of the revised Twin Pines Minerals LLC mining land use plan (MLUP), the hydrologic analyses conducted to support the MLUP, and the EPD and Twin Pines responses to public comments. These comments can be accessed here.
On April 5, 2024, Jackson also submitted to Georgia EPD comments on the relationship between major Okefenokee Swamp wildfires and drought and how the proposed mine could contribute to the formation of wildfires using the Palmer Hydrologic Drought Index. These comments can be accessed here.
In June of 2025, news outlets reported that GA EPD had permits ready for the Twin Pines Minerals LLC mine, but that the permits were being held until TPM LLC posted the required $2 million reclamation bond. Shortly thereafter, The Conservation Fund announced that the TPM mining site and associated mineral rights had been purchased for $60 million, ending the potential threats of the TPM LLC mine to swamp hydrology and ecology. Several non-government organizations, led by 100 Miles, had recruited conservation-minded donors to this cause. Large donations came from the James M. Cox Foundation, the Holdfast Collective (Patagonia’s foundation). Details of the deal and the contributors have not been released.