Judge halts Ariz. mine project

Environmental groups applaud ruling; company will appeal

PHOENIX — A federal judge overturned the U.S. Forest Service’s approval of plans for a new copper mine in southeastern Arizona.

The judge ruled late Wednesday that the agency improperly evaluated and considered water use issues associated with the Rosemont Mine project in the Santa Rita Mountains in the Coronado National Forest.

The $1.9 billion Rosemont Mine, at a half-mile deep and a mile wide, was proposed to sprawl across federal, state and private land, leaving a waste pile the height of skyscraper.

Conservation and tribal groups on Thursday praised the ruling, saying it recognized that the Forest Service failed to protect public land and resources in mountains that are home to endangered jaguars and cougars, black bears and deer. The mountain range is also home to the Madera Canyon, one of the premier U.S. bird-watching spots.

Toronto-based Hudbay Minerals Inc. said it would appeal the ruling blocking construction of its project southeast of Tucson.

Hudbay Minerals said U.S. District Judge James A. Soto misinterpreted federal mining laws and Forest Service regulations and that it will appeal his ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

“We are extremely disappointed with the court’s decision. We strongly believe that the project conforms to federal laws and regulations that have been in place for decades,” said Peter Kukielski, the company’s interim president and chief executive officer.

Plans called for the Rosemont Mine to be built along a scenic highway that curves along grasslands dotted with wildflowers near Arizona wine country and the small community of Sonoita.

“The judge’s ruling protects important springs and streams from being destroyed,” said Randy Serraglio, conservation advocate at the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity. “We’ll move forward with everything we’ve got to keep protecting this southern Arizona jewel from this toxic mine.”

Serraglio’s group, along with Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition and the Arizona Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club, sued this year to stop Rosemont, as did the Tohono O’odham Nation, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Hopi Tribe.

“This is a victory for the Nation and all of Southern Arizona,” said Ned Norris Jr., chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation. “The devastation that the Rosemont mine would bring to our land, water and cultural resources is well-documented and cannot be allowed to happen.”

Rep. Paul Gosar, R-ariz., said the ruling was damaging to “an industry critical to Arizona’s economy.”