The Supreme Court refuses to plea for the blockade of copper mines on Arizona land, which is sacred
Washington (AP) –
The Supreme Court rejected Apaches’ appeal Tuesday, which is working to block large-scale copper mining projects on Arizona federal land, which they hold.
In a lower court ruling, the transfer of Tonto National Forest Land (called Oak Flat) is allowed to resolve copper ruling, which plans to excavate what it says is the world’s second largest known copper deposit.
The Trump administration said it would push for the completion of the transfer.
Judge Neil Gorsuch wrote in objection that not accepting the appeal was a “serious mistake”.
“Recognizing the significance of oak flat land, the government has long protected the land and Apache’s opportunity,” Gorsuch wrote when Justice Clarence Thomas joined. “No more. Now, the government and a mining group want to lay the oak flat into huge holes in the ground.”
An organization known as the Apachi stronghold represents the interests of certain members of the San Carlos Apachi tribe, who believes that land transfers will violate the religious rights of its members and thus harm the site.
Apache Tribes in Arizona considers Oak Flat, covered with ancient oak forests and traditional plants, which are crucial to their spiritual well-being.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, it is estimated that 40 billion pounds of copper can be mined in a lifetime of a mine.
The project has received significant support from superiors and other traditional mining towns near the area. The company estimates that the mine will generate $1 billion a year for the Arizona economy and create thousands of local jobs.
Solution Copper is a subsidiary of international mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP.
Judge Samuel Alito did not participate in the case, presumably because he owned BHP stock worth between $15,000 and $50,000.
Congress approved a land swap in 2014 that would provide 3.75 square miles (9.71 square kilometers) of copper on woodland in exchange for eight parcels owned by Arizona.
In the day of the first Trump administration’s decline, the USDA issued the required environmental review to allow land swaps to proceed.
The Apache stronghold was sued in federal court to stop it. The review was withdrawn to further consult Native American tribes with the administrative changes by President Joe Biden, the Department of Agriculture, including the Forest Service.
But the lawsuit went on, and a year ago, the federal appeals court in San Francisco allocated the following lawsuit 6-5 to allow the transfer of land to move forward, rejecting the arguments of the Apache stronghold on religious freedom and its 1852 treaty between the U.S. government and the Apaches.
Five opposing judges described the result as a tragic mistake that would lead to the “complete destruction” of the sacred site.
The Forest Service has provided a 60-day notice that intends to reissue the environmental review as required by the court order.
