/ Modified jun 25, 2022 11:43 a.m.

Court allows Resolution Copper Mine to continue

Apache Stronghold did not prove its religious concerns were enough to stop the mine.

Oak Flat appeal 9th circuit Attorneys in Apache Stronghold v USA arguing their cases in front of U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit October 22, 2021.
Screenshot of U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit hearing on Youtube

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday, that the land swap for the proposed Resolution Copper Mine in Pinal County can go forward.

The group, Apache Stronghold, argued the area is considered sacred by Native Americans and those religious considerations should keep the land swap and therefore the mine construction from going forward.

The judges on the court disagreed writing that the land swap and proposed mine did not substantially impede the religious exercise of Apache Stronghold members.

An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is expected.

Two other cases, one brought by the San Carlos Apache Tribe, are still pending.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona