Chaparral Plant Nursery Planned for Oak Flat

Just as Resolution Copper is voluntarily reclaiming the Superior-area site affected by previous mining operations, we are also planning activities to ensure areas impacted by our future mining operations are returned to their natural state of vegetation. While the underground block caving method we plan to employ ensures a smaller surface footprint than an open pit mine of the same size, there will be disruption to some native Oak Flat landscape close to our mining operations.

We will establish a nursery to be located on the northeast side of Mine Shaft No. 9, where Emory oak and other tree and shrub species native to the area will be propagated. These propagated chaparral species will then be used both to reclaim disturbed surfaces and to augment or replant areas close to the future mine site, which host culturally significant species such as the Emory oak.

This approach will also address an important cultural issue—the gathering of acorns by Native Americans. By propagating Emory oak and other chaparral species, we are protecting a cultural tradition that is sacred to those who live in and around the Oak Flat area. In our land exchange legislation, we have committed to negotiate an agreement with interested tribes to allow for continued acorn gathering at the Oak Flat Campground. The bill also instructs the Forest Service to allow access for the same purpose to the JI-Ranch parcel that we will convey to the Service as part of the exchange.

We are currently working with Westland Resources, Inc. on design and construction plans for the nursery. The nursery will be an enclosed facility to prevent damage to nursery stock from animals. Shade cloth will protect the plants and trees as they grow and an automatic drip system will ensure proper irrigation.

To our knowledge, efforts to revegetate chaparral species in the natural landscape are rare in the American Southwest. Since we are interested in successfully revegetating chaparral during and after the approximately 50 year life span of our mining operation, now is the best time to begin working toward this goal.

Return to the Issues Brief Winter 2007

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