Tribes fight land exchange to mining company

J. Craig Anderson, Tribune

June 19, 2007 - 6:18AM

The San Carlos Apache Tribe is calling for solidarity among Arizona’s American Indian communities to oppose giving a British mining company about 3,000 acres of land east of Gold Canyon that is considered sacred by the San Carlos tribe.

The San Carlos Indians will be joined Wednesday morning by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and possibly others, for a demonstration at the Oak Flat campgrounds near Superior that will include a traditional ceremony to bless the land.

The site is adjacent to a towering cliff face known as Apache Leap, which also would be acquired by Resolution Copper Mining LLC under the proposed federal land exchange.

The two Apache tribes have signed resolutions to oppose the land exchange and are asking other native communities to do the same — a request for intertribal solidarity that San Carlos leaders say is unprecedented.

“We have extended invitations to tribal leaders within the Southwest to join in signing a declaration supporting a unified tribal voice to protect the land and all holy places, such as Apache Leap/ Oak Flat, Mount Graham, Kitt Peak, and the San Francisco Peaks, among others,” San Carlos Apache Tribal Council Chairman Wendsler Nosie said in a press release. “All those supporting preservation of land with great cultural significance and those opposing the mining proposition are all welcome to come join us in this unique gathering.”

The demonstration will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Oak Flat, which is about 3 miles northeast of Superior along U.S. 60.

Resolution Copper President John Rickus said the company, which wants the land in order to mine a rich copper ore deposit 7,000 feet underground, is taking steps to preserve sensitive areas such as Apache Leap and protect the tribe’s ability to gather acorns in the area as it has done for centuries.

“While we recognize the San Carlos Tribe opposes our land exchange bill, we will continue to address issues of importance to the San Carlos Tribe,” Rickus said in an email.

“We are also addressing other cultural and traditional issues including providing access for acorn gathering.”

The mining company also has agreed to set aside land for a new campground inside Tonto National Forest and will contribute $500,000 to campsite improvements, Rickus has said.

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Steve

While I understand that residents of Gila county need employment, the non-renewable mining operation that will destroy and ruin an irreplaceable and beautiful landmark and a tribal spiritual site should not be allowed. Arizona needs to preserve its natural beauty and we don't need another hole in the ground similar to the Miami mine site which is a blight and potential ground water contaminant. Light manufacturing, tourism and other environmentally friendly job producers need to be found. Arizona does not need to be continually defiled by International Mining interests for the benefit of non-residents. Suggest removal of this comment

June 19, 2007

MARK P

Even if you could care less about acorn gathering or yet another "sacred" site, the land in questions is also one of the best in the state for rock climbing and the Oak Flat Campground facilities, which are a great local area for camping and/or picnicking, will be gone fore ever!
This not a local mining company looking out for the welfare of Arizonans. The real players are BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto. Together they created the Resolution Copper Company for the appearance of a local connection.
Why local media hasn’t latched on to this is a sad reminder of the quality of our available local news.
According to BHP’s own web site they are “one of the largest integrated oil companies in the world, with an estimated global market share of around 3% of oil & gas production, 4% of refining capacity and over 10% retail sales of refined oil products in the major global markets in which we operate.”
Rio Tinto is a global mining company, also based in the U.K., with 30 percent of its assets in the United States.
Something tells me these guys aren’t looking out for our best interest.
The Resolution Copper company line that they will "preserve sensitive areas" is an outright lie.
The method Resolution Copper, Rio Tinto and BHP will use to mine at this location is called "block caving.” They will not dig deep holes or pits but will use gravity to create huge underground caverns and caves. Once this is done the ground above will never be safe for anything and will remain restricted for years and years until it finally gives way and collapses. After removing 600,000 tons of rock and dirt a year, for 25 years, there’s not a lot of support left for what’s above. The company’s plans to use waste rock to “reclaim” and “restore” the nearby Magma Mine is, also, not very appealing.
In return for Arizona’s sacrifice? The mining conglomerates are offering A financial commitment to development one or more campgrounds. Who decides where, when and how big is anybody’s’ guess. This, along with a “new” rock climbing area and some acreage above the Town of Superior is, in the companies mind, a fair trade for the billions of dollars they’ll make as long as the price of copper stays high.
Best case scenario is the British owners get richer at the expense of Arizonans and we lose yet another piece of our environment
Worst case scenario is the company begins the operation and the price of copper falls, yet again, and Arizona is left with potentially the world’s largest, deepest SINK HOLE!
Comment has been reviewed

June 19, 2007

explore

Resolution is a shell co. owned by intl mining concerns. They want to pump contaminated water from the mine into the water table near Queen Creek. If mining begins, Oak Flats will immediately begin subsiding. Resolution refuses to disclose any maps showing how wide or deep the subsidence area would be. The power lines across the property would have to be moved. Who's paying for that? If underground block cave mining occurs near Apache Leap, that would collapse also. The 60 is immediately adjacent to the area. Who will pay to reroute the only road between Superior and Globe if that is damaged? Resolution's parent companies never have hired more than 10% of their workforce locally. They import those they need for this type of mining. The only people benefitting from this project are the owners in the UK and Australia. We should not virtually donate our land supposedly set aside in perpetuity to these people. Suggest removal of this comment

June 19, 2007

Brian

With mines in Globe, two sites in Safford, and another one in Superior, this region is scaming to find workers. It is unfortunate that as long as Resolution applies for the permit and the land is designated for this use, there is very little the public can do to stop this. Suggest removal of this comment

June 19, 2007

MikeP

Without legislation there will be no land exchange. These lands were withdrawn from mining exploration by Eisenhower in the 50s because of their outstanding value. Resolution is offering some nice parcels to the government in return for Oak Flat, including a nice stretch of riparian area along the San Pedro, but they are nowhere near the aesthetic value of Oak Flat. Since this legislation already has a whiff of corruption thanks to a corrupt Rick Renzi, Resolution is going to have a real tough time getting the Dems to pass this giveaway. $500,000 won't pay for an exit off the highway, much the less replace a campground. Suggest removal of this comment

June 19, 2007

explore

The only way Oak Flats will be open to mining is if federal legislation passes giving them the land. Resolution Copper offered a land swap, trading other lands they do not yet own, for this parcel. An executive order in the '50's protected this area from mining, designating it for recreational use only. Mark P is right; this mine by its design would create a sinkhole miles wide and hundreds of feet deep. It would be tough to gather acorns or anything else. Suggest removal of this comment

June 19, 2007

Michael Paul Hill

Oak Flats has always been my personal interest and also the interest of other Apache medicine people. I am an Apache from San Carlos. Resolution Copper Company has yet to consult with the Apache peoples in regard to our sacred and customary land. We are quite aware that Resolution Copper Company must engage our Apache people with free prior informed consent. This hasn't been done as of yet. Oak Flats, and the mountain range from the Superstition Mountains, is at the heart of our Apache spiritual and healing beliefs system. This is where our healing knowledge and healing prayers manifest. Resolution Copper has shown their disregard in consultation and engagement with the Apaches. Resolution Copper is only following in the footsteps of its parent companies, Rio Tinto and BHP, whom are both well known for their harmful mining practices, negative and unethical policy and practices toward Indigenous Peoples lands, territories, and natural resource worldwide. I would appreciate Resolution Copper engaging with the Apache's regarding our sacred and holy place. Our medicine people continue to sing and pray there. If Resolution Copper really wants "to identify key social, environmental and economic factors affecting Resolution stakeholders – those individuals and organizations that have an interest in and potential impact on our business" (http://www.resolutioncopper.com/res/ourcommunities/37.html Paragraph 1), then they would have, from the beginning, engaged, seek consultation, and started dialogue with the Apache peoples. The issues and concern for me is continuity of Apache spirituality and healing. It is my personal responsibility to speak on behalf of our sacred sites of healing and power. I do this not only for the Apache sake, but for your company and employees sake. We as materialistic beings don't realize that we might be actually causing harm to our own welfare because in the spirit, their are no boundaries. Oak Flats is a place of power and prayer and has been for thousands of years and Resolution Copper is jeopardizing many peoples welfare and life. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Michael Paul Hill Suggest removal of this comment

June 20, 2007

Want to help

To Michael Paul Hill, I want to help. What can I do to help stop this company from ruining this land? If you or any one else has any ideas, I would be happy to volunteer! I don't understand how this company can come here and do this? It pisses me off!! Comment has been reviewed