Home / Environment / Copper Mine Expansion Approved Despite Environmental, Tribal Objections
Copper Mine Expansion Approved Despite Environmental, Tribal Objections
6 Aug
Summary
- Environmental groups and San Carlos Apache Tribe raise concerns about impact on wildlife, water, and cultural sites
- Bureau of Land Management declines to review approval of expanded exploratory drilling project
- Potential for large-scale copper mine in Arizona's second-largest undeveloped area
In a controversial move, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the expansion of the Copper Creek exploratory drilling project near the San Pedro River in Arizona, despite concerns raised by environmental groups and the San Carlos Apache Tribe.
The project, operated by Redhawk Copper Inc., a subsidiary of the Canadian mining company Faraday Copper Inc., is located in the vast expanse between the Galiuro and Catalina Mountains. The San Pedro River, which provides a vital habitat for migratory birds and endangered fish, is at the heart of the dispute.
Environmental advocates and the San Carlos Apache Tribe have expressed alarm over the potential impact of the project on the sensitive wildlife and cultural sites in the area. They argue that the BLM's decision-making process lacked meaningful consultation with the tribe and failed to adequately address the concerns raised.
The BLM, however, has declined to review the approval, stating that the exploratory drilling project aligns with an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump in 2025 to boost domestic mineral production and improve national security. The agency has also issued a Finding of No Significant Impact, which means a more robust environmental review is not required.
Opponents of the project argue that the government's environmental assessment failed to use high-quality data when analyzing the impact of the water pumping on the surrounding area. They also claim that the BLM did not take into account evidence collected by citizen scientists of protected wildlife, such as the threatened Mexican spotted owl, near the project area.
The San Carlos Apache Tribe has also raised concerns about the lack of meaningful consultation, stating that the BLM's efforts came late in the decision-making process and lacked a genuine exchange of ideas. This issue is reminiscent of the tribe's previous legal battle over the SunZia transmission line project in the San Pedro Valley.
If the Copper Creek project proceeds to a larger mining plan, a separate environmental assessment process would be initiated. However, the current approval of the exploratory drilling has already set the stage for a potential large-scale copper mine in the second-largest swath of undeveloped land in Arizona, despite the ongoing concerns from environmental and tribal groups.
