US Supreme Court Rejected Appeal to Block Rio Tinto’s Arizona Copper Mine

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The advocacy group Apache Stronghold filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to stop Rio Tinto and BHP's joint Resolution Copper Mine development in Arizona, but the court denied the petition.

The lower court's ruling last year approving a federal land swap, which would have allowed the mining companies to purchase property deemed sacred for religious purposes, was contested by the Native Americans. Claims that the mine's development would demolish the sacred location utilized for tribal rites served as the basis for the opposition. The mine will damage the Oak Flat, where Western Apaches have been holding religious ceremonies for decades, according to arguments made by Apache Stronghold.

RELATED NEWS:

Indigenous Group Takes Fight Against Rio Tinto Arizona Copper Mine to US Supreme Court

Arizona Copper Mine Confronted with Appeal in Supreme Court

Recently, the Trump administration declared its support for the project. The project will proceed as a result of the Supreme Court's decision, which will increase the production of vital minerals. According to reports, the environmental study will shortly be reissued by the US Forest Service.

To date, Rio Tinto and BHP have contributed more over $2 billion to the project. With the potential to supply more than 25% of the copper demand in the United States for many years, the mine is expected to grow into the biggest in North America.
Rio Tinto owns 55% and BHP owns 45% of the Resolution Copper project, with Rio acting as operator.