A new mining operation in southern Arizona is projected to provide critical minerals for the next generation of battery production.
But the project has advocates for the region’s preservation concerned about the process and the potential consequences of the mine.
The Show reports on South32’s Hermosa Project.
South32 Hermosa Mine’s permitting timetable has been approved by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. Final federal permitting is still pending. Some state permits have been approved. This does not change South32’s projections for a 2027 start.
PARA’s assertion that the project is immune to “all federal regulations” due to being located on private land does not take into account that federal oversight is delegated to the state’s Department of Environmental Quality.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to include a response from a firm representing South32.
