A win for the anti-Rosemont Mine crowd as Pima County denies the Rosemont Copper Company a air quality permit, although they can appeal or reapply:

Pima County, Ariz. (Sept. 29, 2011) — Pima County’s Department of Environmental Quality has denied Rosemont Copper Company’s air quality permit application.

The company was notified by messenger on Sept. 28.

The application was denied because Rosemont failed to provide information that would show it could comply with air quality regulations required by the state of Arizona and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Information provided by Rosemont Copper Company during the permit process indicated there was a difference between Pima County code and federal regulations. Therefore Pima County had no choice but to deny the permit application as written.

Rosemont Copper can reapply for an air quality permit and demonstrate that it can meet federal and county regulations to operate an open-pit mine in Pima County.

It can also appeal the denial by Pima County to the Pima County Air Quality Hearing Board within 30 days.

The county issued a draft air quality permit to Rosemont Copper on Aug. 30, 2011 and opened a 90-day public comment period. The comment period will be closed as a result of the permit application denial.

Pima County DEQ staff has logged all public comments received during the open comment period. The comments will be considered as the process moves forward.