Resolution Copper Mining is dedicated to making a net positive impact to the social, environmental and economic well-being of Superior, the Copper Triangle region and the state of Arizona. Here are six ways RCM is proving its commitment to environmental stewardship:
- Rehabilitating Legacy Mining Areas
RCM has initiated a multi-year, multi-million dollar cleanup of lands in and around Superior that have been affected by almost 100 years of mining activity. Goals include protecting human health and the environment from the legacy-mining residue that still exists, restoring natural vegetation, providing a sustainable cover and reestablishing the area for useful purpose.
- Environmentally-Sensitive Mining
- If developed, the mine at Superior will be an underground operation with no open pits and no new tailing sites.
- Mined copper ore will be transported by conveyor from the shafts to the processing facility. Lands already impacted by previous mining operations are potential sites for processing facilities and tailings areas, reducing environmental impact, and provide opportunities for rehabilitation. Concentrated ore will be transported from the processing plant for smelting at existing smelters in the US or overseas.
- For more environmentally-efficient mining, we’re evaluating energy and water-saving technologies as well as clean-energy sources like geothermal energy generated from the mine itself.
- ISO 14001:2004 Certification
Our Environmental Management System (EMS) comprises the plans, procedures and processes we use to manage and continually improve our environmental approach. In 2007, an independent auditing firm examined this system and determined that it met the strict environmental standards of the International Organization for Standardization.
- Responsible Water Management
- Before Resolution Copper Mining can proceed with mine development, it must first remove any accumulated water from mine workings created during previous mining operations. This accumulated groundwater is treated in our onsite facility and blended with Central Arizona Project (CAP) water for irrigation purposes. We are continually evaluating potential ways to use this water resource.
- With water consumption estimates at 20,000 acre-feet per year, we are committed to water-saving devices and water recycling. In addition, we are currently purchasing and banking Central Arizona Project (CAP) water with two local irrigation districts, for future use of the operation of the project.
- NEPA EIS
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required for federal actions impacting federal lands, such as issuing various permits needed for operations. At this time, all the alternatives being considered for mining and support facilities would require such federal actions. The current submittal of the land exchange bill also requires that a NEPA EIS be completed for the future mine.RCM will also complete a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which is a Rio Tinto requirement and in many ways stricter than the NEPA EIS, as part of its mine development process. RCM is completing the extensive baseline work now needed to identify all potential environmental impacts of its mining operations, so that the company can maximize positive impacts while minimizing negative effects.
- Partnering on Environmental Stewardship and Biodiversity
Resolution Copper Mining works with the following organizations to further protect and preserve the environment and the species that inhabit it:
- Arizona Trail Association – RCM employees and contractors volunteer to help build and maintain the Copper Butte Project, a 25-mile section of the Arizona Trail.
- Audubon Arizona – The Rio Tinto Partnership Action Fund continues to help meet grant needs that support conservation and bird species protection.
- Boyce Thompson Arboretum – RCM supports an after-school program that allows Superior elementary students to experience the beauty and diversity of their environment.
- The Lower San Pedro Working Group – We are part of a working group of private businesses, nongovernment and government agencies formed to address long-term conservation issues facing the Lower San Pedro River.
Tags: apache leap, arizona, environmental impact, government land exchange, resolution copper, Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act
This looks great.
I believe this is a very responsable company and Arizona, espicially Superior,Apache Junction, Queen Creek and Mesa could benifit from the development and long life of this mine. Good luck and I hope you can bring it all together. After all one of the four “C” in Arizona is Copper, don’t let that die.
This is such an extraordinary project to recover huge copper resources that it stretches the imagination. The planning and early preparation for all issues, especially environmental, are definitely win-win for the comunities nearby as well as the state of Arizona.
New technology employed in this mine and environmental protection efforts will help the entire industry in future projects elsewhere in the USA.
Your website is well done and given wide distribution should help explain everything needed to make a positive decision on the part of all citizens as to the importance of developing this property. It is time for us all to understand that not only does development of this mine provide considerable employment for a distressed area of Arizona but also it provides a large metal mine in our own country. This could very well become a vital asset in a future where importing these essential metals becomes difficult from uncertain and sometimes unfriendly nations.
Especially in this economic downturn, us working stiffs need the high paying jobs of this project to feed our families and put our kids through college. Its a no-brainer. The risks have been addressed, the communities are being supported and the miners are submitting to government supervision.
Going thru Superior, AZ it’s great the way you’ve helped clean things up and injected fresh money into what has been a very depressed town. Keep it up! With economic conditions being what they are how about pledging to go with USA companies?
The positive monetary impact to Arizona is huge, the environmental concerns are non-existent when you study how it will be done, and it is a long-term bonanza for the State.
This is the only positive project that I know of that will bring jobs and income to Pinal County and the State of Arizona in the near future.
There is no time to waste in moving forward!
Resolution Copper should be applauded for rebirthing what was an old non operating copper mine. The injection of new life into the area in an organised structured development of the new works will provide a new energy for the communities with new housing for families and employment. Congratulations
You people were probably all paid for giving positive comments here and/or you are employees of this company, it’s quite obvious
Either way, you’ve all been brainwashed & lied to about the benefits and environmental protection. Rio Tinto, a company that cares about people and the environment..?? Haha-no way… not on this planet
Our blog is an open forum, moderated only for appropriate language and content relevant to the topics covered in this website. None of the comments originate from paid supporters. Resolution Copper and Rio Tinto are committed to the proper stewardship and preservation of the environment for future generations. Nowhere is that more evident than to the residents of Superior where the multimillion dollar cleanup of almost a century of mining activity is taking place. We welcome you and anyone else who is skeptical to visit us in Superior and see first hand what we have done to demonstrate our commitment to the environment and improve the legacy of mining. http://www.resolutioncopper.com/res/environment/54.html