The Land Exchange and You
The vast amount of information contained in the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act can make it difficult to understand how it directly affects you. For a more personalized view, choose from the categories below that which fits you best to see what the land exchange will mean to you.
- Superior or Copper Triangle Residents - Your lives will see the greatest change over the expected 66-year life of this project. See what it will mean to you and your community.
- Arizona Residents - Even though you may not live near the Copper Triangle, the Resolution Project will have an impact on your quality of life. See how.
- Area Businesses - Whether you're currently in business or thinking about starting one, our business will create a more prosperous climate for yours.
- Area Families - From jobs to education to cleaning up the environment, the Resolution Project will make the Copper Triangle more family friendly.
- Environmentalists - Mining has a legacy in the minds of some who care deeply for the land. See what we're doing to change that.
Superior and Copper Triangle Residents
For residents of Superior and the surrounding Copper Triangle area, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act offers substantial, long-term economic, social and environmental benefits:
- Over the five decades of active production, 1,200 mine employees and 200 contract employees are expected to be working during peak operations.
- Including direct, indirect and induced jobs, annual mine operations are initially expected to account for 2,603 jobs and $178.7 million in wages annually.
- Total direct, indirect and induced jobs in mining, industrial and commercial fields are estimated to account for a total of 5,808 jobs and $305 million in wages annually.
- We are already working to develop the workforce of the future by supporting K-12 and secondary education programs that offer students additional education in the areas of math, engineering and science. We also partner with local community colleges, state universities and government organizations that share our desire to help students gain the knowledge they'll need to meet tomorrow's employment opportunities.
- Resolution Copper is working with Copper Triangle communities to support their vision for future economic development and social stability. Our goal is to help with specific activities that jumpstart economic resurgence and, over the long term, to act as a partner in maintaining the area's sustainability.
- We offer grants to those organizations that work to benefit our communities, and we provide scholarships to local area students.
- The Oak Flat campground is important to many of Superior's residents. Since the area is essential to complete our pre-feasibility study, we've made a $1 million financial commitment to support development of one or more replacement campgrounds within the area.
- Apache Leap will not be affected by the mining operations. Resolution Copper is taking all of the necessary precautions to ensure its long-term protection.
- The land exchange bill will help the Town of Superior acquire over 250 acres of developable land west of town. In addition, Superior will receive title to the historic Fairview Cemetery and an option to develop the airport parcel.
- Resolution Copper is undertaking a major cleanup of the previously mined site near Superior. Reclamation costs will exceed $50 million, and local contractors are being employed to complete the majority of the work.
Secure the future of Arizona by making your voice heard.
Arizona Residents
Even if you're not a resident of the Copper Triangle area, you'll still feel the positive impact of the Resolution Project. Here are a few of the ways state residents will enjoy the benefits of this estimated 66-year project.
- The mine is expected to generate total federal, state, county and local tax revenue in excess of $10.7 billion.
- A 2008 third-party study projected peak annual economic impact on the state of Arizona at $798.2 million, the equivalent of one and a half NFL Super Bowls per year, every year, over the life of the project. Read more about the project's economic impact.
- The total economic impact of the project over its expected 66-year life on the state of Arizona is estimated to be $46.4 billion.
Area Businesses
The Resolution Project will revitalize the long-term economy in Superior and give a big boost to the local industries affiliated with mining operations. This economic surge will lead to broader, more diversified opportunities for both business and job growth. By becoming a neighbor in the Copper Triangle for the better part of the 21st century, we look forward to helping it develop into a place that attracts and sustains jobs, communities and families for many generations to come.
Area Families
Many current or former residents of Superior have had to either move or commute in order to make a living. We're delighted that one of the biggest benefits we can provide to the families of the Copper Triangle area is the opportunity to live and work in the place they call home.
A big part of our effort to employ as much local talent as possible involves preparing young people for future jobs in our industry. To that end, we've made scholarships available for students who concentrate their studies in areas such as science, engineering and mathematics. Currently, there are 14 students attending Arizona universities on Resolution Copper scholarships. If your child is intent on attending an Arizona university and is a student at one of the eligible schools, contact our office and learn how to help secure him or her a place in Arizona's future.
Another part of our community outreach effort is the town hall-style meetings we hold to help provide local families and communities with as much information as possible as to what the Resolution Project and the land exchange will mean to them. We plan to continue with these meetings in order to educate area residents, understand their concerns and find solutions that work for everyone.
Environmentalists
Our goal at Resolution Copper is to have a positive effect on the people we work with and the land they call home. Here are some of the measures we've undertaken in order to conserve and protect the local environment:
- Restoring the Land
Resolution Copper continues to support a voluntary, multi-year, multi-million dollar cleanup of lands in and around Superior that have been affected by almost 100 years of mining activity. The goal of this effort is to protect human health and the environment from the legacy-mining residue, restore natural vegetation, and reestablish the area for useful purposes. - A Cleaner Copper Mine
The proposed Resolution Project mine will be an underground operation with no open pits and no new tailing sites. Tailings will be put to use in reclaiming a legacy open pit mine. We have also made a public pledge to sterilize parts of the ore body if necessary in order to ensure the protection of Apache Leap. - Ensuring a Positive Legacy
We are fully committed to minimizing the negative impacts of the mine and sustaining the environment at every stage of development and operation. This includes a detailed course of action to take after mining operations are complete in order to return the land to a productive and/or natural state. This plan is also aimed at helping local communities develop sustainable economies that are not mining dependent. - Protecting Apache Leap
Our commitment to Apache Leap is absolute, and we are taking a variety of steps to ensure that the area is not harmed as a result of our mining activities. If any potential threat is determined, we will change our mining practices to ensure the area is protected. - Identifying Environmental Impacts
We will complete a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) on all mine activities prior to mine construction in order to identify all potential environmental impacts of our mining operations. - Using Water Wisely
In an arid environment like Arizona, we are committed to using sustainable water sources and are currently purchasing and banking Central Arizona Project (CAP) water to use for processing the ore and cooling the mine in the future. Our company began working with NMIDD and the Hohokam Irrigation and Drainage District in 2006 to store this water purchased for future use. Other long-term water-saving and clean energy options are also being explored, including geothermal energy—a natural byproduct of mining operations. - Recycling and Reusing
Resolution Copper has constructed a water treatment facility to prepare water from old mine workings before it is discharged, and we are working with the New Magma Irrigation and Drainage District (NMIDD) to supply the extracted water for agricultural use in Arizona. - Minimizing Impact
Smelting will be conducted off site. We are considering lands already impacted by previous mining operations as potential sites for our processing facilities and tailings areas. This will reduce environmental impact and help reclaim and restore lands for beneficial use. - Adhering to the Strictest Standards
As part of our focus on environmental excellence, we've obtained ISO 14001:2004 certification of our Environmental Management System. ISO 14001 is the recognized global standard for achieving environmental excellence. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) helps establish a set of common rules that support international trade and ensure that companies operate ethically and responsibly. ISO 14001 certification includes regular audits conducted both internally and externally to ensure that we are complying with stated obligations and requirements related to environmental care. - Getting Involved
To protect and preserve the local environment and the species that inhabit it, Resolution Copper has partnered with a number of groups/organizations focused on environmental stewardship.- Arizona Trail Association - As part of our commitment to and interest in the local environment, each year, our employees and contractors volunteer to help build and maintain the Copper Butte Project, a 25-mile section of the 800-mile Arizona Trail.
- Audubon Arizona - The Rio Tinto Partnership Action Fund, a private grant created by our parent company, continues to help support conservation and bird species protection, including Important Bird Area designations in Arizona. Resolution Copper is also a corporate partner to Audubon Arizona and sits on the organization's business advisory committee.
- Boyce Thompson Arboretum - Resolution Copper is a proud supporter of an after-school program that allows Superior elementary students to visit this unique sanctuary and experience the beauty and diversity of the local environment. The company is also a corporate partner to the arboretum.
- The Lower San Pedro Working Group - We have joined with a group of private businesses, non-government and government agencies formed to address long-term conservation issues facing the Lower San Pedro River.
- Turning an Old Metal Into a Brighter Future
Copper has the highest conductivity of all non-precious metals. That, combined with its relatively low cost and resistance to corrosion, makes it an essential component in many of our most advanced, environmentally-friendly technologies, including integrated circuits, digital electronics, communications and data transmission, and alternative energy. Harnessing this 10,000 year-old metal for use in these and other applications will help us make huge strides in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
At Resolution Copper, we know we will not be entrusted to begin the Resolution Project unless we prove ourselves to be responsible stewards of the land. Help preserve Arizona while securing its future by supporting the Land Exchange Act.
* Economic and Fiscal Impact Study conducted by third-party consultant, Elliott D. Pollack & Company.