Save the Scenic Santa Ritas

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

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Rosemont Mine

In January 2018 a newspaper headline declared: “Rosemont Mine ready to build in ’19 if final permit goes through.” Of course, the “final permit” refers to the Clean Water Act 404 permit, which the Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of issuing. It took a while, but the permit was, indeed, issued in early March 2019.

By that time lawsuits, including ours, had been filed challenging the Forest Service for issuing its Record of Decision, which would allow the Rosemont Mine to proceed, pending the granting of the 404 permit. The organizations filing the suits were Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, joined by Sierra Club, Arizona Mining Reform Coalition, and Center for Biological Diversity. Separate suits were also filed by the Tohono O’odham Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Hopi Tribe (impacts on cultural resources); and Center for Biological Diversity (impacts on endangered species).

For many months the news was full of Rosemont articles. These included articles discussing the need to fix the 1872 mining law and the impacts the mine would have on our water resources as well as several clever political cartoons, all expressing concern about the mine. Also, there were dozens of letters to the editor with headlines such as “Rosemont devastation is a sacrilege,” “Protect natural world, oppose Rosemont,” and “Jobs temporary, damage permanent.”

Also, a few proclaimed the supposed positive side of Rosemont, for example “Rosemont jobs will bring a boost.”  In late March 2019, we (all the organizations and tribes mentioned above) filed another lawsuit to try to overturn the Army Corps’ issuance of the 404 permit. So, two lawsuits had now been filed with the goal of stopping the mine and – WE WAITED, knowing that Hudbay could begin mining activities any day.

In fact, in June 2019 Hudbay began clearing all the vegetation from a 30-foot-wide swath along Santa Rita Road where they had intended to put their water pipe. The intent was for the pipe to go from the west side of the Santa Ritas, over the ridgeline, and to the east side of the mountain range.

Fortunately, they only cleared about 4 ½ miles when, on July 31, Judge James Soto ruled that the mine could not proceed. There have been a few minor perturbations since then, but the primary question now is whether Hudbay will appeal Judge Soto’s decision. They have until the end of December 2019 to file an appeal. So, WE WAIT AGAIN. 

But, for the moment, at least, the wind is at our back. It will still take some time – may be quite a bit of time — but we feel confident that eventually, we will prevail and this arduous battle will be over. There will be NO MINE. The beauty, biodiversity and cultural resources of the Santa Ritas will be preserved. In the bigger picture, the decision we got from Judge Soto has been widely reported both nationally and internationally. In addition, Congressman Grijalva is moving forward with a long-needed reexamination of the 1872 mining law, which allows foreign mining of American resources on public land with no royalties paid to the United States.

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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