A decadeslong effort to open a portion of the Tonto National Forest to copper mining took a significant step forward on Thursday.
The U.S. Forest Service gave a legally required 60-day notice of its intent to republish a Final Environmental Impact Statement for a proposal that would bring a massive copper mine to Oak Flat. The area — about 60 miles east of Phoenix — is located within the Tonto National Forest and is considered sacred to generations of Apaches.
Beneath Oak Flat is a huge ore body that has long been the target of Resolution Copper, a joint venture between two of the world’s largest mining companies: multinational BHP, which is based in Melbourne, Australia; and Rio Tinto, a British-Australian company headquartered in London.
In order to access the more than 1 billion metric tons of copper ore, Resolution Copper needs final approval of a land swap authorized by Congress.
“We are encouraged to hear the U.S. Forest Service intends to republish the Final Environmental Impact Statement, which is a positive step forward for the Resolution Copper project after more than a decade of rigorous, independent review and consultation with local communities and Native American tribes,” Resolution Copper President Vicky Peacey said in a statement released by the company.
She said the company remains “committed to maintaining an open dialogue to ensure the Resolution Copper project moves forward responsibly and sustainably as we transition into the next phase of the permitting process.”
The project has been opposed by the nonprofit Apache Stronghold, which has argued its case — based on religious freedom — all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Other opponents include environmental organizations, such as the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity. The center is part of a separate lawsuit and alleged that the announcement by the Forest Service was an indication that President Donald Trump’s administration is pushing the project forward.
“Destroying Oak Flat for profit of a foreign mining company is really a moral, cultural and environmental catastrophe of historic proportions for Trump,” said the center’s Russ McSpadden. “And we’re not going to stop fighting now.”
Proponents of the mining project cite the growing demand for copper, which is vital for many industries, including clean energy. Among other uses, copper is needed for wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles.
“Copper is a crucial resource for America's energy future, modern infrastructure, technology, and national security,” Resolution Copper said in Thursday’s written statement. “It is also a gateway to many critical mineral co-products. Ensuring a domestic supply of this critical mineral supports not only Arizona’s economy but also the nation’s broader economic and security goals.”
But as McSpadden points out, it’s not just the profits that would be headed to foreign interests. The copper itself likely would, too.
“Resolution Copper would mine Arizona copper and send it on the global market, likely to be smelted in China. This would not produce copper in the United States. So it’s just a big problem all the way around.”
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