Save the Scenic Santa Ritas

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

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Night Sky and Astronomy

Night Sky, with a shaft of moonlight, from the east side of Gunsight Pass, Santa Rita Mountains, by William K. Hartmann
Looking south from the Santa Rita Mountains over the Whipple Observatory access road. The pronounced lights on the southern horizon are Nogales, Arizona and Sonora, by Filip Pizlo
Whipple Observatory, by Jeff Smith
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According to a 2008 report by the Arizona Arts, Sciences and Technology Academy, the total dollar impact in Arizona attributed to Arizona’s astronomy, planetary and space sciences was estimated at $252.8 million in FY 2006. One of the report’s key recommendations is to employ “new measures to control light pollution emitted from growing urban areas that is degrading the effectiveness of existing Arizona observatories and limiting the state’s ability to attract major new facilities for optical astronomy.”

The Whipple Observatory, which is operated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, is located on Mount Hopkins in the Santa Rita Mountains. In a recent Arizona Daily Star article (January 19, 2014), the Smithsonian wrote, “the negative public perception of having a copper mine next to an observatory has already impacted future observatory revenues.” One example, it says, was its failure to secure the $700 million giant Magellan Telescope.

Recent Posts

  • Federal Memo May Bolster Hudbay’s Position on Rosemont Mine Site March 16, 2023
  • Hudbay Minerals Stock Tumbled 16% Last Week to US$4.55 per Share March 16, 2023
  • Hudbay Fights Order to Stop Grading at Mine Site Near Tucson March 16, 2023
  • THE HOT TOPIC: WATER OR LACK THEREOF January 24, 2023
  • Hudbay ramps up excavation for Copper World Complex as local resistance continues and expands January 7, 2023
  • Meet The Man Who Shoots At Birds All Day To Keep Them Off A Toxic Pit | World Wide Waste (video) January 5, 2023
  • Lithium America Mine Project Hampered After Judge Schedules Hearing on Nevada Mine January 5, 2023
  • Thousands Will Live Here One Day (as Long as They Can Find Water) January 5, 2023
  • Latest Updates About Local Water Issues and Rosemont / Copper World Mine Complex January 5, 2023
  • Hudbay, Forest Service won’t appeal ruling blocking Rosemont Mine December 19, 2022

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Rosemont/ Copper World Mine Complex News

Federal Memo May Bolster Hudbay’s Position on Rosemont Mine Site

Hudbay Fights Order to Stop Grading at Mine Site Near Tucson

THE HOT TOPIC: WATER OR LACK THEREOF

Hudbay ramps up excavation for Copper World Complex as local resistance continues and expands

Meet The Man Who Shoots At Birds All Day To Keep Them Off A Toxic Pit | World Wide Waste (video)

Lithium America Mine Project Hampered After Judge Schedules Hearing on Nevada Mine

More Posts from this Category

Hudbay Minerals Stock Tumbled 16% Last Week to US$4.55 per Share

 

Update on Lake Mead and Lake Powell water levels

All that rain and snow hammering the West surely means good news for water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Here’s a video update from last week with the current situation and expectations for the rest of the year.
WATCH NOW

Copper World Flyover January 6, 2023 by David Steele

Another shocking sight of the incredible destruction happening on our beautiful Santa Ritas.WATCH VIDEO NOW

Russ McSpadden’s recent fly-over showing mine activity

In Nov 2022 Russ captured recent bulldozing in the Santa Rita Mountains. His video starts over the Rosemont mine project on the east side and then swings over the Copper World project on the west side. WATCH VIDEO NOW

Explore the proposed Rosemont and Copper World projects virtually

Check out Pima County’s updated map of the proposed mine site. Click on any spot on the map for ownership/status information. Mapping details are based on Hudbay’s PEA dated May 1.

Proposed Rosemont/ Copper World Mine Complex

Image compilation of the area

LENS ON THE LAND

Recommended Reading List

Browse HERE over 30 titles of carefully selected books in various categories including: copper, water, mining, wilderness, exploration, and more. Your purchase supports the efforts of the SSSR

January 2023 Powerpoint Presentation

Click here to download (PDF)

Litigation Update

There have been two recent judicial rulings on the Rosemont Copper Company projects — one favorable and one unfavorable.

Click here to learn more

The latest on Hudbay’s Copper World project in the Santa Rita Mountains

Click here to download (PDF)

Where is the Rosemont/Copper World Mine Complex?

Click here for directions

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