Save the Scenic Santa Ritas

Fighting to protect the Santa Rita and Patagonia Mountains from the devastating impacts of mining.

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Economy

Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice

Corresponding pages in the DEIS:
Summary of Impacts: pp. 699-754; Environmental Consequences: pp. 736-754

The proposed action would result in a small increase in regional employment, taxes, and revenue. There would be increased funding needs for road maintenance on State Route 83 and other roads during the operational phase of the mine. The proposed action would result in a possible decrease in area property value and would cause a potential degradation of area quality of life in terms of community values. There potentially could be a change in regional tourism spending. No change in the cost of emergency services as a result of population increase would occur. There would be disproportionate effects on environmental justice communities as a result of impacts to cultural resources.


The Economic Impacts of the Proposed Rosemont Mine

The amenities of Southern Arizona – the desireable features and facilities of scenic natural landscapes that annually attract millions of visitors, thousands of new residents and highly skilled workers, and hundreds of new businesses and industries to Pima and Santa Cruz Counties – are far more important to the region’s economic development and health than the 406 jobs the proposed Mine plans to create.

Why the Focus on Amenities Instead of Traditional Exports?

  • People care where they live
  • Businesses care where people live
  • Available high quality workforce
  • Markets for the goods and services produced
  • Attract high quality workers at lower cost
  • New residents setting up household stimulate the economy
  • Attracting and holding retirees & retirement income
  • Attracting visitors: building a sustainable visitor economy
  • Traditional exports do not explain local economic vitality

Mine Jobs in Context

  • Mining jobs represent a very small percentage of total Pima County jobs
  • Mining jobs are historically unstable and technological advances require fewer workers
  • Pima County’s economy IS NOT highly dependent on “traditional export” factors (e.g. copper, cattle, cotton)
  • Pima County’s economy IS highly dependent on “amenity-based” factors such as:
  • Public educational institutions
  • Cultural attractions
  • Natural Landscapes and Recreation Opportunities
  • Quality of Life: Lower key lifestyle
  • Sunshine
  • Urban amenities and access to even larger urban areas (e.g. Phoenix)

Even relatively modest damage caused by the Rosemont Mine to the attractiveness of the region to new businesses, residents, retirees, and visitors could easily cancel out more than the number of new jobs created by the Rosemont mine.

Conclusions

  • Be rational: look at both benefits and costs
  • Don’t be panicked by the recession. Mines do not cure recessions. Recessions are 1 to 2 year cycles; mines operate 20 to 30 years with their own deep cycles.
  • Take into account the instability that characterizes mineral development. Arizona has plenty of experience with that.
  • Recognize that Tucson is not a “frontier” economy. It is a sophisticated high-tech manufacturing and service economy with a bright future.

Natural landscape amenities are an important part of the Tucson area’s economic base. This is not just an “aesthetic” or “pretty playground” concern. It is a dominant economic concern.

Recent Posts

  • A great win today for our Santa Rita Mountains and for American public lands! May 12, 2022
  • “Uncelebrate!” The 1872 Mining Law is an antiquated law! Support Rep. Grijalva’s and Sen. Heinrich’s legislation, the Clean Energy Minerals Reforms Act of 2022 instead! May 10, 2022
  • Oak Flat event here in Tucson, May 11, 2022 May 9, 2022
  • Dismissing Native American concerns, Hudbay keeps moving dirt (AZ Luminaria feature) May 7, 2022
  • Arizona Public Media’s “The Buzz” interviews Save The Scenic Santa Ritas for episode on mining. May 6, 2022

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RSS Latest from Rosemont Mine Truth

  • Hudbay says it is developing plans to build at least three open-pit copper mines on west side of Santa Rita Mountains October 6, 2021
  • Hudbay tells investors and analysts that it owns enough land to mine the western side of the Santa Rita Mountains August 12, 2021
  • Rosemont will destroy Santa Rita Mountains to export copper overseas May 18, 2021
  • Pima County reaffirms resolution opposing Rosemont Mine April 19, 2019

Selected Lens on the Land Photographs

Land
Members of the Tohono O'odham Legislative Council, by Jeanne S. Broome
Night Sky
Water Resources
People
Economy
Biodiversity
Hiking at the Rosemont Site, by Dennis Caldwell
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Litigation Update

Oral arguments for our case before the 9th Circuit Appeals Court were held on February 1, 2021. Because of COVID, the oral arguments were virtual, and we could listen in. You can watch the recording here.

We cannot predict when we will hear a decision, but we expect to have to wait several months.

Click here for more updates

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