Save the Scenic Santa Ritas

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

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact
    • Board of Directors and Staff
    • Endorsements
    • Opposition and Resolutions
    • Volunteers and Friends
  • Background
    • Rosemont Mine
      • History
      • Impacts
        • Air Quality
        • Land Use
        • Wildlife and Habitat
        • Scenic Views
        • Heritage
        • Recreation
        • Economy
        • Water and Hydrology
    • Legislation
    • Copper
    • Patagonia Area Mines
  • In the News
  • Action
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Join Mailing List
    • Endorse Us
    • SSSR Presentation
    • Show Your Support
    • Letter Writing
  • Events
    • Past Events
  • Resources
    • Visual Media
    • Links
    • Documents and Reports
    • 1872 Mining Law
    • Inspiration
  • Projects
    • Lens on the Land
      • Biodiversity
      • Culture
      • Economy: Industry, Tourism & Recreation
      • The Land
      • Night Sky and Astronomy
      • Water Resources
    • Rosemont Mine Truth
  • E-news Archive

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

  • 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

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Sign up to receive important updates straight to your inbox! We will guard your privacy and will not provide your email to anyone else.

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
PlayPause
 

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

DONATE

Copyright © 2022 · Save the Scenic Santa Ritas