Court ruling halts land transfer for copper mine amid opposition from Native American groups.
A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from transferring ownership of sacred Apache land to Rio Tinto, the multinational mining company, for the construction of a copper mine. The local Apache community in San Carlos, Arizona has opposed the project due to its religious and cultural significance.
The dispute is centered around the Oak Flat area, a federally owned land deemed sacred by the Apache tribe. The area holds significant copper reserves, estimated to exceed 18.1 million tons, crucial for the growing demand for copper in electric vehicle production and electronics.
The mine, named the Resolution Copper project, is a joint venture between Rio Tinto and BHP. If developed, it would create a three-kilometer-wide and 304-meter-deep crater, destroying a site where the Apache people celebrate their spiritual practices.
The conflict over the project has been ongoing, with legal battles beginning as far back as 2014, when Congress and then-President Barack Obama approved the land transfer. However, President Donald Trump initiated the transfer during his first term, which was later reversed by President Joe Biden. Despite this, the case continued to be processed through courts.
In his 18-page decision, U.S. District Judge Steven Logan expressed concern that the Apache Stronghold, a nonprofit group of Apache people and their allies, would likely succeed in their appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Logan stated that irreversible harm could occur if the land transfer proceeded before the legal matter was fully resolved.
The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating whether to hear the case. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has sought to expedite the transfer process, aiming for completion by June 16.
