Rio Tinto and BHP have experienced deep and long-lasting difficulties as they worked to build the Resolution Copper mine in Arizona. They have been passionate advocates for this project for nearly 20 years. The underground mine that’s been proposed is located roughly 60 miles east of Phoenix, near the small town of Superior. This makes it an important opportunity for U.S. copper production. The joint venture, with Rio Tinto holding a 55% stake and BHP owning 45%, aims to tap into what is considered “one of the most significant untapped copper deposits today.”
The mine would provide an incredible $1 billion a year to Arizona’s economy, according to Resolution Copper’s conservative estimates. No wonder global demand for copper is projected to triple as we decarbonize our economy and society. Yet this demand is rising, making extraction-focused projects especially urgent in the case of copper extraction. The journey has not been smooth.
Recently, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a temporary restraining order to halt a land transfer necessary for the mine’s development. The court brought down this order to address litigative challenges. Perhaps most strikingly, these challenges have been raised by foes such as the San Carlos Apache Tribe. The tribe has opposed the project for religious, cultural and environmental reasons.
Asserting that his tribe was not against economic development, Terry Rambler, chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, stated the tribe’s reasons to oppose the mine. He stated, “This proposed mine is a rip-off, will destroy a sacred area, decimates our environment, threatens our water rights, and is bad for America.” The tribe has consistently raised alarms regarding the threat posed by the project to their sacred lands as well as culturally significant resources.
After the court’s decision, Resolution Copper called the ruling “nothing more than a temporary slowdown.” The company is confident that in the end, the court will approve the land transfer the project needs. They believe that overcoming legal hurdles is essential to proceed with a venture that could play a critical role in meeting future copper demands.
The legal problems associated with the Resolution Copper mine have stretched over four decades. And now the U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to overrule that decision. This decision paved the path for Rio Tinto to proceed with its development plans. Members of Apache Stronghold marched the streets with protest cards in hand. They asked the Supreme Court to vacate its decision.
“This proposed mine is a rip-off, will destroy a sacred area, decimates our environment, threatens our water rights, and is bad for America.” – Terry Rambler
The San Carlos Apache Tribe’s resistance to the project highlights a national clash over economic development that threatens sacred land. Mason, Chester and their families are now in an active fight against this proposed mine. They are adamant that preserving the natural landscape and holy ground takes priority over any potential financial profits.
Even Donald Trump is on the case, calling the need for copper production in America immediate. He wrote, as you put it so simply, needs Copper — AND ASAP! His statements are an acknowledgment of the growing understanding that copper will be a foundational metal for the innovative new technologies and infrastructure that lie ahead.
As Resolution Copper navigates these complex legal landscapes and community concerns, the future of the Arizona copper mine remains uncertain. The ongoing court proceedings will surely decide this project’s fate. Beyond that, they’ll help shape the national conversation on resource extraction and indigenous rights here in America.