Resolution Copper » government land exchange

Before developing the Superior mine, Resolution Copper Mining must complete extensive studies to determine the specification and location of critical infrastructure. These activities will require an investment of over $750 million in additional exploration and in excess of $3.5 billion before production can commence. To justify an investment of this magnitude, RCM needs to facilitate industrial development of the surface lands in and around the Oak Flat area on national forest land that is currently excluded from mining by federal law. This is necessary to complete our feasibility study and to make a final decision regarding how to develop the mine. Passage of the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act will accomplish this goal. Here are five things you should know about this act:

It exchanges over 5,500 acres of private, high-priority conservation lands for roughly 2,400 acres of national forest property. All of the lands were selected in consultation with the United States Forest Service, BLM and leading conservation groups, including the Trust for Public Land, Nature Conservancy, Sonoran Institute, and Audubon Arizona.
It provides over 250 acres of land for economic development in the Town of Superior. Less than five square miles in area, Superior is land locked and needs additional lands for economic development.
It requires conservation and protection of scenic and historic Apache Leap located above Superior.
It makes a $1 million financial commitment to support development of one or more replacement campgrounds in close proximity to the Oak Flat campground.
It agrees to provide a full plan of operations, including location of infrastructure and impacts to the area, as well as data on cultural and ecological attributes for full public comment and review. RCM will submit to a full, comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act prior to opening the mine.

Our Commitment to the Environment

Resolution Copper — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:28:35 +0000

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.