As if late summer weren’t already hot enough, there’s scorching vitriol between a Canadian company hoping to mine the Santa Rita Mountains, and top county brass angling to squash their plan.
Early in August, Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry announced that the mine’s air-quality permit—to be issued by the Pima Department of Environmental Quality—might be a tad slow in coming.
A few weeks later, attorneys for Canadian-based Augusta Resource Corporation not only hand-delivered a snarky letter to Huckelberry outlining what he could and could not do, but then went mano-a-mano with the County Board of Supervisors during a regular public meeting.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Back in 2006, when Augusta first announced plans to dig a massive open-pit copper mine in the Santa Rita Mountains south of town, company officials predicted a seamless permitting process, and smooth sailing with Pima County.
‘We don’t really need the county’s approval, but I’ve always been a believer in cooperative effort,” Augusta vice president Jamie Sturgess told the Arizona Daily Star. “We certainly don’t want their opposition.”
But they certainly got it: In a January 2007 vote, the board gave Augusta’s mine a unanimous thumbs-down.
Relations have been on the skids ever since—and things have turned particularly sour in recent weeks, after county officials were barraged with pro-mining e-mails and phone calls. The campaign was purportedly organized by Augusta.
Sturgess didn’t return a call from the Tucson Weekly. But according to County Supervisor Ray Carroll, whose District 4 includes the proposed mine site in Rosemont Valley, Augusta officials have become increasingly cranky as their plans bogged down amid regulatory questions, trenchant opposition and pressure from their international investors.
“They’re lashing out because they’ve got a lot of money on the line, and they’ve got a lot of foreign companies on the line,” Carroll says. “I don’t know how they play it up in Canada, but some of these investment companies are probably saying, ‘Look, start producing.'”
In the meantime, he says, county officials have become convenient scapegoats for Augusta’s frustrations. “No. 1, we’re great whipping boys,” says Carroll. “But (Sturgess) should look past us and know that the decision is really in federal hands.”
Therein lies the real key: Augusta’s project faces a slew of challenges, and many of them exist far beyond Pima County headquarters. They range from congressional legislation—sponsored Southern Arizona Reps. Raúl Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords—that would forbid future mining on the Coronado National Forest in Pima and Santa Cruz counties, to waste-discharge permits required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the Clean Water Act.
But they all ultimately hinge on analyses by the Coronado National Forest, to be summarized in an environmental impact statement, or EIS. The statements typically include a handful of “alternatives,” or directives on how a public-lands project might proceed.
But in this case, the Forest Service has repeatedly pushed back its timeline for issuing a draft of the EIS, and federal officials have offered contradictory statements about whether it could possibly include an alternative that outright rejects the mine.
That’s considered a thorny proposition under the Mining Act of 1872, which was originally meant to encourage mines on public lands, and now makes it nearly impossible to stop them, unless they can be shown as potential violators of environmental laws.
Still, some people wonder why the Coronado has lagged on issuing the draft, which is now slated for release by year’s end. Among them is Dick Kamp, an environmental analyst for Wick Communications, which owns this paper. According to Kamp, those Forest Service delays have subsequently slowed reviews by other permitting agencies, such as the Army Corps.
Without a draft EIS from the Forest Service, the Army Corps of Engineers “can’t issue any permit,” he says. “They can’t provide a demonstration that Rosemont will comply with the law.
“Apparently, the Forest Service has not yet even developed that chapter of the draft EIS that describes the alternatives,” Kamp says. “And it’s getting a little late in the game. They’re heading into October, and they don’t even have that.”
Acting Coronado Supervisor Reta Laford didn’t return a phone call seeking comment.
Kamp also points to Grijalva’s bill as a potential game-changer. While the measure wouldn’t necessarily target existing claims—such as those held by Augusta—it would require the “validation” of each claim. Essentially, a claim would be valid only if it’s shown to have sufficient economic mineral value.
Further questions are being raised in a lawsuit, filed by Augusta opponents, questioning whether the federal government can legally allow a mining company to deposit waste on public-lands claims. While Augusta’s proposed mine would stretch across roughly 900 acres of private property, it would require more than 3,000 acres of adjacent Forest Service land to use for processing. The mine would also need up to three water-related permits from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Finally, there’s the wildlife. In June, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a listing petition under the Endangered Species Act for two snail species that could be wiped out by the mine. In July, the organization filed two more petitions concerning a pair of rare Arizona plant species. And in early September, the center sought protection for Coleman’s coral root, a rare orchid that exists in the mine’s path.
As for warm relations between county officials and Augusta, those already seem extinct. Even Augusta’s latest strategy of playing up the jobs issue—the company suggests that some 400 locals could be employed by the mine—leaves officials like Ray Carroll cold.
He says the e-mail and telephone campaigns targeting Huckelberry and the Board of Supervisors seem contrived by Augusta. “Usually, public opinion is something that comes from the grassroots up. But they have spent quite a bit of money on tours and economic forums and free lunches and things like that. And they’re developing a mailing list, so I guess they decided to use that mailing list.
“They even did a radio ad to try to stir things up,” Carroll says. “But they haven’t convinced me to change my opinion.”
This article appears in Sep 30 – Oct 6, 2010.
This is a very good explanation and description of the mine. Nice job, Nick. My question is about the water. We are running out as it is without the mine. How much sooner will we go dry with the mine?
Earl Wettstein
Typical Ray Carroll. If he ever had any experience in the mining sector, he would know that permitting a new mine takes time. Freeport’s Safford operation took 10 years to permit. He doesn’t understand that Rosemont Copper is committed to seeing this thing through.
However, being a politican the only thing he has any experience doing is playing political games that discourage companies like Rosemont from bringing good paying jobs to our community.
Most of the copper from the mine will go to China, why should Tucson subsidize China’s military buildup???…
How can you state that most of the copper will end up in China? There is nothing to indicate that this would happen.
Not that “Chris J.” would have a bias or anything. Considering that a fellow named Chris Jones runs Arizona Copper, another Augusta outfit that wants to put an even bigger mine in the mountains down by Patagonia. Lay your cards on the table, “Horquilla.”
don’t forget all the money they are throwing at local business groups too to gain support.
To BB
You really need to get your facts straight. Augusta Resource has nothing to do with Arizona Copper. Arizona Copper is exploring a site in the Huachuca Mtns not the Patagonia Mtns. Chris Jones is the president and CEO of Wildcat Silver and has nothing to do with Arizona Copper. Wildcat Silver’s Hardshell project in the Patagonias is considerably smaller than the Rosemont project.
As for my identify, I am not Chris Jones. How’s that for laying my cards on the table.
Horquilla,
Sorry, you’re right. Chris Jones has nothing to do with Arizona Copper.
Meant to say Wildcat Silver. Whose board chairman, Richard W. Warke,
“has more than 22 years experience in corporate finance, administration and marketing in the resource sector. He is the founder of Augusta Resource Corporation and has been involved in raising several hundred million in equity for resource companies.” That’s from Wildcat’s website. Chris Jones is CEO. According to an article I read in the Tucson Weekly, Wildcat has the same address with Augusta in Canada.
As you’re saying, Wildcat hopes to dig a mine in the mountains by Patagonia. I hear it will be bigger than Rosemont.
To BB
Unfortunately there is alot of incorrect information floating around out there. If you go to Wildcat Silver’s website, you will find that they report a mineral resource of 57 million short tons at Hardshell compared to 616 million short tons at Rosemont. Based on this info, I would think Rosemont is a bit larger than Hardshell.
Horquilla:
You sound like an insider. Which one of them do you work for?
No insider here. Unlike many who blog in these forums, I do my homework before I make a comment.
To Horquilla punch “rosemont copper goes to china” in your search engine and read all the articles about rosemont sending Tucson’s copper to China…you do your homework…
Copper not in short supply U.S. or worldwide. ASARCO and Freeport McMoran/Phelps Dodge share 30% excess capacity at present. Development of Resolution Copper in the Superior mining district vastly overshadows Rosemont and all necessary infrastructure is in place. Rosemont has NO supporting infrastructure and NO assured long range water supply. CAP is but a band-aid and can’t be relied upon in support of Rosemont’s requirements. Under any interpretation of the 1872 Mining Law under today’s conditions to start a new mine is not an entitlement. What Rosemont proposes would prove to be an enviornmental disaster — with permanent adverse effect on all living flora and fauna in that sector. Rosemont’s only transportation route, ingress/egress from the minesite, would be SR 83 to I-10. SR 83 will literally crumble and fall apart irrespective of what ADOT declares. There will be many deaths soley attributable to Rosemont occuring on SR 83 due to increased heavy traffic. And, finally, any reclamation claimed for this mine is an absolute myth. Look around you — it just doesn’t happen. SO, IF COMMON SENSE PREVAILS, IT SHOULD BE READILY APPARENT THAT ROSEMONT IS SIMPLY NOT NEEDED.
Don E. Byron
Legion of Honor
Society of Mining Engineers
One note about our nation’s copper mining capacity. Prior to the downturn in the economy during the fall of 2008, every copper mine in the United States was operating at full capacity and we still imported 30 to 40% of the copper we required to meet our domestic needs. Nothing has changed over the last 24 months to improve this situation. When the economy improves the demand for copper will also rebound and we will still be importing 30 to 40% of the copper we consume.
Link to data supporting this statement:
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/com…
What we really need to be concerned about now is what the demand for copper will be in 2020, considering that it will certainly increase with all the green, renewable energy projects that require copper. With declining production at many of our domestic mines (some of which have been in production from more than 100 years), the only way to meet this future demand is to increase our domestic copper mining capacity through the development of new mines. Considering that it takes 7 to 10 years to bring a copper operation on line, we need to begin planning for the future, today. That is exactly what Augusta Resource has been doing. It has been five years since they purchased the Rosemont property and it will probably take at least 2 to 3 more years before the first copper is produced at the site.
As for the statements that Resolution Copper has the necessary infrastructure in place, that is false. They don’t even have the infrastructure to access the ore body (located at a depth of 5,000 to 7,000 feet), let alone all of the infrastructure required to mine and process the ores from this discovery. Like Rosemont, they will have to build the infrastructure required to successfully produce copper from this discovery.
I don’t know where you been since the enactment of our nation’s environmental laws in the 1960’s and 1970’s, but our domestic mining industry has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in cleaning up its existing and former operations over the years and continues to set aside large sums of money for future cleanup efforts. Reclamation activities account for significant portion of many mine’s operating budgets. The big difference between historical producers and Rosemont, is that Rosemont has incorporated their reclamation efforts into their mine plan, which allows them begin reclamation efforts at startup and continue them throughout the life of the operation. This approach makes much easier to successfully reclaim the site once mining has been completed.
Meet Chris J.
From the Augusta Resource website:
Chris Jennings
Director, Augusta Board of Directors
Chris brings more than 50 years experience in geology, mineral exploration, and mine development and operations to the Augusta Board. He has directed exploration projects throughout the world, and has been involved in the discovery of several gold mines and diamond and base metal deposits. Formerlly the President and Chairman of Southern Era Resources and the Chairman of Southern Era Diamonds Inc., Chris has served on the Boards of numerous exploration and mining companies throughout his lengthy career.
To BB
Sorry to disappoint you, but I am not Chris Jennings either.
To Horquilla get back on topic and prove rosemont copper isn’t going to go to china…
To mhazzard:
Your the one who claims to know that Rosemont’s copper is going to China. Where’s your evidence to back up your claim?
To Horquilla : The Arizona Daily Star June 20 2010 states China and India are the biggest buyers of copper and if the copper ended up in china, so be it…
Thank you, Mr. Byron for reminding us of the fact that Rosemont Copper can use 12 miles of Scenic Route 83 24 hours a day, seven days a week to transport it’s products via large trucks. Route 83 is a two lane highway with many no-passing zones between mile post 55 and 46. Many of the designated passing zones are not adequate for passing trucks that will frequent that road….and heaven help the cyclists and bikers who would venture onto that road if the mine is allowed to use it to get to I-10.
We, the tax payers will be paying for the maintinance of the road thereby subsidizing the mine.
To mhazzard:
The Arizona Daily Star is your credible source for information? You will have to do better than that to convince me that you know what your talking about.
Here I’ll help you out. Take a look at this publication:
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/com…
To Horquilla
Some people believe in Jesus some believe in Budda and some believe they will have another beer, I believe a lot of the copper would end up in china regardless what the document says…