Balancing Mining Interests in Arizona

In many ways, mining started the state of Arizona as we know it. Even the star in the middle of the state's flag pays homage to Arizona copper. However, a new New York Times article examines the difficult balance between supporting the state's economy and respecting sacred tribal land. 

According to the article, mining companies Rio Tinto and BHP say their mine plans on Oak Flat near Globe will benefit the environment by helping to increase the use of renewable energy and electric cars and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The Resolution mine, as it's known, is one of multiple Arizona mine plans causing difficulty for policymakers interested in supporting green energy. 

“So much of the energy transformation is about electrification, and copper is the metal of electrification,” said Daniel Yergin, the energy historian and vice chairman of S&P Global. “But in order to meet the 2050 net-zero carbon goals that the United States and European Union have embraced, global copper production has to double, and it’s very hard to see how that is going to happen.”

Misael Cabrera, inaugural director of the School of Mining and Mineral Resources, spoke about the situation at a panel hearing featuring members of Congress. Cabrera cited the General Mining Act of 1872, which covers mining claims on public land. 

"Just because it's old doesn't mean it's outdated," he said in an AZCentral article.

Cabrera pointed out how modern mining methods are much safer than in past years. 

MGE Department Head and Gregory H. and Lisa S. Boyce Leadership Chair Kray Luxbacher explains in the New York Times article that there is plenty of copper in Arizona, the difficulty is from the legal hurdles on starting new mines. 

“The intentions of the Biden administration are good, but they’re not going to get this done unless they find a way to come up with the raw materials,” Luxbacher said.