Click on a link to go to these news topics:
Rosemont Mine
TEP Power Lines
Davidson Canyon
Water & Clean Water Act
Mining and the Economy - Boom/Bust
Green Valley, Groundwater & CAP Pipeline
Patagonia area mines
1872 Mining Law
Mining Impacts
AZ Daily Star, Rosemont expected to become lake when done, Jan. 17, 2010
AZ Daily Star, Studies vary on Rosemont's impact, Jan. 17, 2010
Map of Impacts
The proposed Rosemont mine could reduce the flow of Cienega Creek, one of the county's last perennial streams and a birdwatchers mecca about 10 miles from the mine site, one study predicts. Or it could leave Cienega Creek untouched and drain only a little water from Davidson Canyon, a lesser but still-important stream with cottonwoods, willows and crystal-clear water about five miles from the mine, another study concludes.
Rosemont Copper Co. wants to pull about 225 million pounds of copper from the Santa Rita Mountains each year. To do that, it would dig a 2,000-foot deep, 700-acre pit that would stretch nearly two miles mile one way and half a mile in the other.
KGUN 9, McCain favors Rosemont Mine Plan , Jan. 17, 2010
Arizona Daily Star, 2012 CAP shortage called likely, Jan. 12, 2010
Watch Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll speak about the proposed Rosemont project on Arizona Illustrated on Nov. 18th
Read Gayle Hartmann's letter to the editor from Nov. 13
Mine foes aren't 'manipulating fear' but citing practical concerns
News about the Oct. 27, 2009 water forum in Green Valley:
Green Valley News:
http://www.gvnews.com/articles/2009/10/27/news/63water%20forum%201028.txt
http://www.gvnews.com/articles/2009/10/27/news/80waterforum1025.txt
KMSP video):
http://www.fox11az.com/news/local/Rosemont-mine-water-usage-66717187.html
News about the public meetings on Saturday Oct. 24th and related news regarding the USDA and Jay Jensen's visit:
AZ Daily Star:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_9960a5a8-c77a-51dc-a305-199a07f925d3.html (in Letters section - Outdated mining laws hurt environment)
US will consider option for no Rosemont mine - Oct. 24, 2009
Rosemont opponents give US official an earful - Oct. 25, 2009
Our view: It's good news that officials came in person to hear from opponents - Feds must keep open mind on Rosemont mine - Oct. 27, 2009
Green Valley News:
http://www.gvnews.com/articles/2009/10/27/news/75rosemont1025.txt
http://www.gvnews.com/articles/2009/10/27/news/78rosemont1024.txt
http://www.gvnews.com/articles/2009/10/27/news/82rosemont1021.txt
Nogales International:
http://www.nogalesinternational.com/articles/2009/10/27/news/doc4ae71bdf4baa3185983651.txt
http://www.nogalesinternational.com/articles/2009/10/27/news/doc4ae71df2c1d4e530986951.txt
http://www.nogalesinternational.com/articles/2009/10/20/news/doc4addda45f2494502365603.txt
KOLD videos:
http://www.kold.com/global/Category.asp?C=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=15088&topVideoCatNoB=158866&topVideoCatNoC=158876&topVideoCatNoD=158882&topVideoCatNoE=138849&clipId=4242245&flvUri=&thirdpartymrssurl=&topVideoCatNo=0&autoStart=true&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv
http://www.kold.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4229848&h1=USDA%27s%20deputy%20under%20secretary%20to%20attend%20Rosemont%20mine%20meetings&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=44467&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=22649148
KMSP video (about the recently filed lawsuit):
http://www.fox11az.com/news/local/Rosemont-mine-lawsuit-65684227.html
U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS TO HOST TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS ON PROPOSED ROSEMONT MINE
Top official from U.S. Department of Agriculture will attend the Oct. 24th meetings.
Read the full story
See our Events page for more details.
Arizona Daily Star, Rosemont foes fault Agriculture Secretary, Oct. 22, 2009
Green Valley News, Rep. Giffords and Grijalva's letter on the Rosemont Mine, Oct. 20, 2009
Conservation and Native American Groups Challenge Bush-Era Mining Givaways
Lawsuit Filed to Overturn Public Land Mining Regulations
Read the joint Press Release
Read the article by Dick Kamp in the Green Valley News from October 20th.
Rosemont Environmental Impact Statement Delayed!
Read the story in the Sahuarita Sun, Oct. 17, 2009
Rosemont Copper announces they don't have the money to build the mine.
Arizona Daily Star, Rosemont Copper hires financial advisor, Oct. 17, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, Key official to visit Rosemont, Oct. 4, 2009
A top U.S. Agriculture Department official is to visit Tucson later this month to get a close-up look at the Rosemont mine conflict. Jay Jensen, a deputy undersecretary for natural resources and the environment, will be here on Oct. 24, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords announced late last week.
The Sahuarita Sun, Rosemont takes case to GVCC, Sept. 18, 2009
KOLD.com, Opponents say Santa Rita "scar" is sign of things to come, Sept. 16, 2009
Green Valley News, Guest Comment: Everything is wrong with Rosemont Mine, Sept. 15, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, Mine inspector OK's reclamation plan for Rosemont Mine, Aug. 18, 2009
Nogales International, Mine inspector's nod of Rosemont draws ire of its neighbors, Aug. 4, 2009
Green Valley News, Rosemont Mine: Not a Done Deal, Aug. 2, 2009
Green Valley News, Fred Tahse, friend of Santa Ritas is remembered, July 18, 2009
Green Valley News, Letters, from the Editor, Who Calls the Shots as Life Winds Down? July 18, 2009
The Bulletin, Rosemont mine study touts economic benefits to S. AZ, July 15, 2009
Davidson Canyon, Arizona Water Quality Standards & Outstanding Waters
Arizona Daily Star, Army engineers to review quarry's Davidson plan, Aug. 26, 2009
Arizona Public Media, Mining in Davidson Canyon, Richard Elias, online video, Aug. 5, 2009
NY Times, Economic crisis complicates California's goals on climate, Feb. 25, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, County revisiting cement company's permit requests, Jan. 5, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, Feds, state must cooperate on area land uses, Jan. 4, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, US-permit decision could slow limestone-quarry plan, Dec. 28, 2008
Letter from Ray Carroll to Army Corps on Davidson Canyon, Dec. 22, 2008
Letter from Arizona Branch Army Corps of Engineers requesting individual Section 404 permit for AZ-California Portland Cement, Dec. 18, 2008
--Map of the site
Arizona Daily Star, Permit to build haul road across Davidson Canyon won't be revoked, Dec. 17, 2008
Tucson Citizen, County can't undo approval of mine haul road, Dec. 16, 2008
Arizona Daily Star, Canyon where quarry sought gets top level of protection, Dec. 8, 2008
Arizona Daily Star, County OK's key permit for quarry in riparian area, Dec. 3, 2008
ADEQ, Draft Anti-degradation Implementation Procedures, April 2008
Clean Water Act, Water Quality (back to top of page)
NPR.org, Will the next war be fought over water? Jan. 3, 2010
Arizona Daily Star, Severe AZ water shortage possible, April 26, 2009
New York Times, West is told to expect water shortfalls, April 20, 2009
Common Dreams, Across America, Waters in Crisis, April 14, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, Asarco to pay $170K to settle Silver Bell violations, Mar. 7, 2009
NPR, New EPA review prompts anxiety over mining jobs, Mar. 31, 2009
Arizona Home Builders file suit over Santa Cruz decision, Mar. 24, 2009
Pima County, Clean Water Act Effectiveness Review, Jan. 13, 2009
East Valley Tribune, Court refuses to reverse Pinto pollution case, Jan. 13, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, High Court bans more pollution in AZ Stream, Jan. 13, 2009
Press Release, Carolot Mine water quality permit, Jan. 12, 2009: US Supreme Court denied an industry petition to review a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which struck down a Clean Water Act permit issued by the U.S.EPA to the Carlota Copper Company. The permit would have authorized Carlota to release significant levels of copper and other toxic pollutants into Pinto Creek, a tributary to the Salt River, which provides a portion of Phoenix's water supply. The Carlota Copper Project is a proposed open pit copper mine covering over 3,000 acres near the small mountain town of Globe, Arizona, about two hours east of Phoenix.
Living on Earth: Redefining Rivers, Nov. 14, 2008
Mining and the Economy - Boom/Bust (back to top of page)
Arizona Daily Star interactive map of Arizona's mines
Reuters.com, Copper marketplace tight, demand weak, June 10, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, Copper price rebound boosts new mining ventures, April 17, 2009
(more pro-mining propaganda from the Star)
Zonie Report, Rosemont backers bask in copper price jump, April 17, 2009
National Post Mobile, Chinese buying revitalizes copper price, Apr. 3, 2009
USGS Data Series 140 version 3.0 "Historical Statistics for Mineral and
Material Commodities in the United States" -
This revision updates statistics for mineral commodities through 2007.
Arizona Daily Star, Asarco will demolish Texas smelter, Feb. 4, 2009 (this is one of the smelters Rosemont was considering sending their concentrate to if they ever got their mine built)
Arizona Daily Star, Freeport mining shows huge loss as demand for copper plunges, Jan. 27, 2009
Tucson Citizen, State of mining is bad, but could get worse, Jan. 21, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, Morenci mine to cut 1,550 workers, Jan. 10, 2009
KOLD News, 1,550 layoffs announced at eastern Arizona Mine, Jan. 10, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, Major layoffs for Arizona miners, Jan. 9, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, Mining firms squeezed by lower demand, Jan. 1, 2009
Augusta Resource Corporation "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements-Sept. 30, 2008":
"While the Company continues to seek alternative financing arrangements there can be no assurance that capital will be available as necessary for expenditures for continuing mine development."
Click HERE to see the latest figures for Augusta's stock
Green Valley, Groundwater & CAP Pipeline (back to top of page)
The Arizona Republic, Unabated use of groundwater threatens Arizona's future, Aug. 2, 2009
Green Valley News, Caliche puts snap in CAP pipe plan, July 1, 2009
Green Valley News, Growth could help solve water problem, Mar. 31, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, Asarco's Mission mine complex now using CAP, saving groundwater, Jan. 24, 2009
Green Valley News, Mining company to fix sulfate problem, Dec. 13, 2008
Green Valley News/Sahuarita Sun, CAP board heard differences in two pipeline plans, Dec. 6, 2008
FICO presentation, Dec. 4, 2008
Community Water Company presention, Dec. 4, 2008
BOR Presentation at Aug. 26, 2008 Scoping Meeting in Green Valley
More info including maps
The Bureau of Reclamation has determined an environmental assessment is needed regarding potential impacts of the proposed construction and operation of a Central Arizona Project water distribution system and recharge facility by the Community Water Company of Green Valley, AZ. The Community Water Company has provided Reclamation with its final plans for taking and using its annual CAP Central Arizona Water Project water allocation of 2,858 acre-feet. CAP water would be recharged and CWC would continue to pump and deliver groundwater. Reclamation seeks public input regarding the potential impacts of the proposed action, alternatives that should be considered, and/or other concerns and issues that should be addressed in the EA. Comments may be sent by mail to:
Reclamation's Phoenix Area Office, 6150 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale AZ 85306, Attention: PXAO-1500, or faxed to 623-773-6486 by September 12, 2008.
Comments, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. The full Notice of Public Scoping Notice can be obtained by calling the Environmental Resource Management Division at (623) 773-6251, by e-mailing rkonst@lc.usbr.gov , or by downloading it from the Phoenix Area Office website at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix/
Tucson Citizen, AZ must be creative about water in future, Sept. 11, 2008
Bureau of Reclamation Presentation, August 26, 2008
GAO Report on Mining Royalties, August 2008
BLM Scoping for CWC Pipeline, August 11, 2008
Patagonia Area mines (back to top of page)
Tucson Weekly: Is the Forest Service rubber stamping exploration permits? Oct. 4, 2007
Arizona Daily Star on the Patagonia Mines, March 12, 2007
1872 Mining Law reform & Mining (back to top of page)
KGUN9, Support building in Congress for mining reform, Jan. 3, 2010
OregonLive.com, Sept. 16, 2009
"A lot of the mining community look to that law as gospel and believe it bestows rights on them that other citizens don't have," Jimerfield said. "When you have an 1872 law, people act like it's 1872."
Mail Tribune, Sept. 16, 2009
Man jailed after being accused of mining without a permit on Forest Service land.
New York Times, editorial (on the 1872 Mining Law), 137 Years Later, July 20, 2009
Read a fact sheet on S 140, the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Act of 2009
Fly Rod & Reel Online, The Mining Law of 1872, the law that time forgot.
Arizona Daily Star, 137-year-old US mining law could finally be overhauled, May 13, 2009
CNBC.com, Advocates say time is right to reform mining law, May 12, 2009
New York Times, Reform of the 1872 Mining Law won't save western splendors. April 16, 2009
"A decade, two decades ago, people would dismiss the environmental and safety concerns by saying these mines are distant from where people live," said Velma Smith, manager of the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining. "The fact is they're getting less and less distant from where people live, where people go for recreation, and where municipal governments obtain drinking water, and that's why it grows more and more urgent to modernize this law."
Albuquerque Journal, Bingaman measure would revamp 1872 Mining Law, Apr. 3, 2009
EARTHWORKS PRESS RELEASE, April 2, 2009
*** New Bingaman Mining Legislation Would Bring Tens of Thousands of Jobs to Rural Communities
*** Senate Mining Reform Initiative Would Bring Bring 19th Century Law into 21st
Update on Mining Law Reform, Feb. 9, 2009:
The House bill has been introduced by Rep. Rahall. It is exactly the same language that passed out of the House last session. Earthworks is currently working to get cosponsors for the bill. A hearing is expected at the end of the month, and mark-up of the bill is expected in March. The bill should pass - much like it did last session - although with perhaps a larger margin. We are still waiting for the Senate bill, and hope to see something soon.
Rep. Rahall's HR-2262 Introduced Jan. 27, 2009 for reform of the Mining Law of 1872, Factsheet
Arizona Republic, BLM issues new volley in Canyon mine fight, Oct. 10, 2008
Land Letter, Enviros decry Bush admin revisions to mining regs, July 17, 2008
Resolution saves canyon from mining — for a while
TEP Power Lines (back to top of page)
138 Kv Transmission Line Is a "Connected Action" August 28, 2009
Mine foes ask delay in routing electricity, August 29, 2009
Locations of power lines to Rosemont debated, August 29, 2009
Wick Communications, TEP Reduces Rosemont Power Options, June 1, 2009
The Zonie Report, TEP rekindles debate over Rosemont Mine, Mar. 30, 2009
Sahuarita Sun , 50 Show up to ask about TEP line to Rosemont, Mar. 27, 2009
Nogales International, Public meetings set for bid to get TEP power line, Mar. 24, 2009
Arizona Daily Star, Foes of mine won't take stand on power line route, Mar. 22, 2009
NOTE: SSSR's official position is that this NEPA process for power to the Rosemont Mine is a flawed process because there is no mine. Therefore, the Purpose and Need statement in the EA is irrelevant, and there is no need for this project since there is no mine.
Sahuarita Sun, Power lines to Rosemont Mine under consideration, Mar. 11, 2009
Details of the TEP planning process and a map of the area being studied are posted on the TEP web site
Arizona Daily Star, ACC rejects disputed stretch of power line, Aug. 19, 2008
Mining Impacts (back to top of page)
Canwest News Service, Colorado mine recovery cleans up toxic Canadian legacy, April 18, 2009
Go to our page on Impacts from mining projects
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better,
it's not."
The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss
