U.S. Senators back mining project through bill

U.S. Sens. Jon Kyl and John McCain reintroduced legislation Tuesday to allow Resolution Copper Co. to develop an underground mine near Superior that could tap one of the largest deposits of copper ore ever discovered in North America.

However, some residents of Superior and the San Carlos Apache Tribe object to the land exchange, believing the project in Pinal County would damage a scenic area that has strong connections with Apache history.

Similar bills were introduced in each of the past two years but failed. Officials of Resolution Copper, a unit of London-based Rio Tinto Group, have said that the land deal must be approved this year or the project cannot proceed.

The bill introduced Tuesday by the two Arizona Republicans would give Resolution Copper about 3,025 federally-owned acres in the “Oak Flat” area three miles east of Superior. In return, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management would get from Resolution seven parcels totaling 4,583 acres of environmentally-sensitive land throughout Arizona.

Kyl said those parcels include wetland habitats along the San Pedro River in southern Arizona, and 160 acres near Hayden, 30 miles southeast of Mesa, that would be included in a state park for rock climbing.

Also, the company would contribute $7.5 million to a trust account for the federal purchase of more conservation lands in Arizona.

Kyl said the bill also includes a 695-acre easement to protect the spectacular Apache Leap cliffs above Superior, about 45 miles east of Mesa. The bill provides stronger protection for the entire escarpment, expanding its size from 562 acres in the original bill and specifically barring mining activities under the easement and on the surface.

Tribal members believe the Apache Leap project would desecrate the area, a sacred place in their history. According to Apache history, warriors in the 19th century, cornered by U.S. cavalry troops, leaped off the cliffs to their deaths rather than surrendering.

Some residents of Superior also oppose the project because they believe the block-caving mining method planned by Resolution Copper would cause cave-ins and damage the landscape.

“We will go to Washington to fight this,” said Manuel Ortega, a member of Concerned Citizens and Retired Miners. “We feel the type of mining will destroy Apache Leap mountain. … All of those rocks in that scenic area will come down.”

Ortega said group members hope to testify about the bill before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He said the organization has gathered signatures from more than 1,000 current and former Superior residents against the project.

Wendsler Nosie, chairman of the San Carlos Apache community, could not be immediately reached for comment. An aide said he was in Washington, D.C., conferring with congressional members and was due back late Tuesday.

Kyl said no agreement has been reached with the tribe, but he plans to continue outreach efforts.

The project is being backed by the Superior Town Council, Gov. Janet Napolitano and environmental and recreation groups such as the Arizona Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy and Arizona Game and Fish Department. They favor giving the environmentally sensitive lands to the federal and state governments.

Resolution spokesman Troy Corder said that with the bill, “we’re one step closer to making the Resolution Copper project a reality.”

He also said the company wants to talk with tribal leaders but so far, no meetings are scheduled.

U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Phoenix, said he is considering sponsoring similar legislation in the House.