Patagonia, Santa Rita Mountains Under Threat by Open Pit Mining

The Rosemont Valley, in the Santa Rita Mountains, is the proposed site for an extensive and devastating open pit copper mine. Recently, Augusta Resource has been talking about 2 more ore bodies that may be mined in addition to Rosemont. Their map shows these ore bodies straddle the ridge line or are on the Green Valley (western) side of the Santa Ritas.The Patagonia Mountains are threatened by six possible open pit mines at Hardshell, Four Metals, Providencia, Italian Canyon, Patagonia Jewel, and TM.

Augusta Resource Company, under the name of the Rosemont Copper Company, has been engaged in a full-scale public relations campaign to convince the public to accept mining that will pollute the region's water supply, destroy critical ecosystems and undermine regional tourism. These efforts include ongoing advertisements on southern Arizona's NPR affiliates.The Pima County Board of Supervisors, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, the City of Tucson, Marana Town Council, Sahuarita Town Council, and the Oro Valley Board of Supervisors have passed resolutions opposing the mine at Rosemont.

The following public meetings will allow the public to comment on the proposed mining activities in southern Arizona, their impact on the community and the environment:

1. March 18, 2008, Pima Community College Desert Vista Campus, 5901 South Calle Santa Cruz, Tucson, Arizona. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
2. March 19, 2008, Canoa Hills Recreation Center, 3660 South Camino del Sol, Green Valley, Arizona, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
3. March 20, 2008, Patagonia Union High School, Highway 82, Patagonia, Arizona, 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Alternatively, for those who do not attend meetings, an initial public comment period runs through April 18, 2008. Agencies or individuals can submit comments by mail, FAX, or email... read more>>>

Click here to read an economic impact statement on proposed mining in the Santa Rita and Patagonia mountains. For more information, visit www.scenicsantaritas.org