Arizona Business Coalition Backs Controversial Mining Project

News Summary

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce leads a coalition supporting the Resolution Copper project amidst legal challenges from the San Carlos Apache tribe and environmentalists. The coalition’s amicus curiae brief argues adherence to federal law by the U.S. Forest Service. Proponents highlight economic benefits and the importance of copper for clean energy, while opponents raise concerns about environmental impacts and cultural significance of sacred lands. The ongoing appeal poses significant implications for Arizona’s mining future.

Arizona—The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry has spearheaded a coalition of state business organizations to support the controversial Resolution Copper project. This collective stance comes as an amicus curiae brief was submitted to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, advocating for the court to uphold a lower court’s ruling that found the U.S. Forest Service had complied with federal law in granting approval for the mining initiative. The brief aligns with the district court’s decision dismissing appeals from the San Carlos Apache tribe and an environmentalist group, both of which have challenged the project on environmental grounds.

Key signatories of the amicus brief include Greater Phoenix Leadership and various skilled trade organizations across Arizona. These groups assert that the district court correctly interpreted the relevant laws and emphasize the need to defer to agency experts regarding environmental reviews. They cite recent Supreme Court guidance supporting this approach. The Resolution Copper project is poised for an initial investment of approximately $350 million and is expected to create hundreds of skilled trade and contractor jobs while bolstering U.S. efforts to secure a domestic copper supply, vital for clean energy and defense technologies.

Arizona is a leading source of copper, producing around 70% of the nation’s supply and ranking among the top three states for non-fuel mineral production. The consequences of the ongoing court case, officially titled Arizona Mining Reform Coalition et al. v. U.S. Forest Service et al., could hold substantial implications for Arizona’s business landscape, particularly its ability to attract large-scale projects in the energy and manufacturing sectors.

Background on Legal Disputes

The plaintiffs, which include the San Carlos Apache tribe and environmental advocates, argue that the environmental review conducted by the Forest Service under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was inadequate. They are particularly concerned about the potential environmental impacts of the mining operation and its effect on sacred lands, especially Oak Flat, which holds significant cultural importance for the tribe. The land exchange facilitating the project was authorized under the 2014 Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act, which allows for a transfer of over 5,400 acres of sensitive land to federal management while granting Resolution Copper over 2,400 acres for its mining activities.

Recently, the federal appeals court issued a temporary injunction halting the land transfer, regarded by the tribal leaders and environmental supporters as a protective measure for their sacred land while their case is considered. The leaders emphasize the cultural, environmental, and historical importance of Oak Flat, claiming that the mining operation could create a substantial crater in this area.

Economic Perspectives

Amid this legal backdrop, local officials and business advocates maintain that economic development must go hand in hand with environmental protection and respect for cultural heritage. The Arizona Chamber has highlighted the necessity for clear and consistent environmental review standards to facilitate projects like Resolution Copper, which promise significant economic benefits and essential resources for America’s future technological needs.

Furthermore, President Donald Trump has criticized the opposition to the mining operation, labeling it as “anti-American” and claiming that ongoing litigation hampers job growth and copper production. The outcome of this legal battle will likely be a defining moment for the future of mining in Arizona and may influence broader discussions on how to approach large-scale resource projects while addressing environmental and cultural concerns.

The ongoing appeal and its ramifications will be closely monitored as the case proceeds through the court system, with both economic proponents and local tribes preparing for its implications on the state’s natural resources and economic landscape.

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STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER

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