In Arizona, nothing is more precious than water.
Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of foreign mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP, plans to siphon 250 billion gallons of desert groundwater for a copper mine at Oak Flat, Ariz. – about 70 miles east of Phoenix in the Tonto National Forest.
That’s 17 million gallons of water every day for four decades.
And because of loopholes in Arizona water law, mines can pump unlimited amounts of water without paying the state a dime.
At current water prices, Resolution Copper would get $404 million worth of groundwater for free. Arizona won’t see a cent. And it’s likely that the copper ore from Oak Flat would be exported to China for smelting.
Arizona’s mining loophole is to blame.
It would facilitate Resolution’s massive mine and the destruction of Oak Flat, a Native American sacred site that is an ecological and recreational haven. The extreme water pumping would lead to groundwater depletion and the land sinking and caving in, damaging wells, infrastructure and ecosystems. This would take water needed by Pinal County farmers and communities.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has shown leadership fighting to secure water for future Arizonans.
But that fight must include closing the mining loophole in Arizona water law. At the very least, foreign mining giants should have to pay for the water they use just like the rest of us.
Take Action Now and tell Gov. Hobbs you support her position that “Our groundwater should be used to support Arizonans, not foreign business interests.”