Environmental groups file lawsuit to halt Ariz. copper mining project

TUCSON, Ariz. — Conservation groups filed a lawsuit against the

U.S. Forest Service on Monday to stop a proposed open-pit copper mine southeast of Tucson.

The lawsuit in U.S. District Court says the Rosemont Copper Mine would destroy Coronado National Forest land and threaten water resources. It was filed Monday by Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition and the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter.

The suit asks the federal court to overturn the Forest Service’s approval of the Rosemont mine.

Coronado National Forest spokeswoman Heidi Schewel said the agency does not comment on litigation. The $1.9 billion project would be located on more than 5,400 acres of federal, state and private land. The mine would be built by Hudbay Minerals Inc. and produce copper, molybdenum and silver concentrates.

First proposed in 2007, the project has been delayed over concerns that it could harm air and water quality, dry up wells and streams, and damage habitat for endangered jaguars and other species.

“The Rosemont mine would permanently destroy endangered species habitat and pollute some of Arizona’s most important waterways,” said Marc Fink, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity.