Statement regarding reintroduction of Save Oak Flat bill

“This bill is highly concerning and disappointing as it would harm Arizonans, eliminate 400 current jobs and thousands more in the future, and undermine American national security and economic competitiveness at a time when the country needs domestic copper and critical minerals more than ever.

 “The bill seeks to undo bipartisan legislation that was passed more than a decade ago, supported by administrations of both parties, and been upheld by federal courts at every level. It would stop a critical project that will deliver billions of dollars in economic benefit to Arizona, employ thousands of rural Arizonans, and secure a world-leading source of copper for the benefit of the American people for generations to come.

 ”We believe Arizonans deserve clear, accurate information about this project. It is a large brownfield redevelopment of a historic underground copper mine in a region where mining has occurred for over 100 years. It will help protect America’s energy future, support American jobs, and reduce reliance on foreign copper. Every day this project is delayed, is another day the American people remain dependent on foreign copper.

 ”There is significant community support for the project. More than a decade of extensive consultation and collaboration with Native American Tribes and local communities has directly led to co-designed underground mine plan. Resolution Copper has agreed to forego half-a-billion tons of ore and completely re-locate major surface facilities to minimize impacts, preserve access to Oak Flat and physically avoid areas of cultural significance identified by Tribes.

 ”Resolution Copper is jointly owned by Rio Tinto (55%) and BHP (45%). Rio Tinto has operated in the United States for over 150 years and has provided the country with domestically mined and refined copper for over 120 years. 100% of Rio Tinto’s mined U.S. copper is refined in the U.S. for the American market.

“Rio Tinto’s goal is to process copper from the Resolution Copper mine in the U.S., utilizing capacity at its existing smelter and refinery in Utah, to feed and strengthen the domestic supply chain for American manufacture and use, as the company has done for more than 100 years.

“Resolution Copper has reached out to Representative Grijalva and looks forward to an opportunity for her to meet with members of our workforce, talk through her concerns and discuss the many ways the project can deliver significant social and economic benefits to a part of rural Arizona that experiences high unemployment.”