The justices left in place lower court decisions allowing the transfer of the Tonto National Forest land, known as Oak Flat, to Resolution Copper, which plans to mine what it says is the second-largest known copper deposit in the world.
The Trump administration has said it will push to complete the transfer.
A group known as Apache Stronghold, representing the interests of certain members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, has argued that the land transfer will result in the destruction of the site in violation of its members’ religious rights.
Apache tribes in Arizona consider Oak Flat, which is dotted with ancient oak groves and traditional plants, essential to their spiritual well-being.
An estimated 40 billion pounds of copper could be mined over the lifetime of the mine, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
We can thank Senator John “but he’s a good guy” McCain for cramming this fucking land transfer into a 2014 Defense Department spending measure, under the guise of national security. So glad we’re safe, now.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/arizona/politics/2014/12/12/congress-clears-arizona-copper-mine/20327087/