The Biden administration had paused the land exchange in March, effectively reversing the former President’s final approval.
The DOJ has filed legal briefs to oppose claims by Apache and conservationist groups, arguing the exchange violates treaties and religious freedom laws.
The US Department of Agriculture said then that more time was needed to “fully understand concerns”, having received “significant input” regarding the transfer of Oak Flat since the documents were released in January.
The decision was made on the heels of global outcry sparked by Rio Tinto after it destroyed ancient Aboriginal rock shelters in Australia. The incident cost several top executives their post.
The US Justice Department (DOJ) has now filed legal briefs to oppose claims by Apache and conservationist groups, arguing the exchange violates treaties and religious freedom laws, according to Arizona-based The Payson Roundup news site.
The filing, the report says, suggests the Biden administration will follow through on the land exchange.
26 years, $2bn later
Rio Tinto Plc has tried for more than a quarter-century to move forward with its Arizona’s copper project. Together with its 45% partner BHP, they have spent more than $2 billion on Resolution Copper to date, including reclamation of the Magma copper mine site and sinking a second shaft to mining depth.
The miners describe Resolution as one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper deposits and estimate it could produce over 20 million tonnes of copper over 40 years.
Arizona recently stymied another copper project, with Canada’s Hudbay Minerals (TSX, NYSE: HBM) currently appealing a 2019 district court decision which put a stop to its proposed Rosemont project, saying it believed that the court had misinterpreted federal mining laws and Forest Service regulations.
Copper is a vital part of green infrastructure from solar power to hydro, thermal and wind energy.
