Trump admin set to approve Arizona land swap for mine opposed by Native Americans
Source: kfgo/Reuters
(Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's outgoing administration is set to approve a controversial land swap later this month that would give Rio Tinto Ltd and partners more than 2,400 acres (9.7 square kilometers) to build an Arizona copper mine, even though the project would destroy religious and cultural sites sacred to Native Americans.
Tribal leaders and other critics allege that the U.S. government is fast-tracking the environmental review process before Trump is replaced by President-elect Joe Biden next month, charges the government and Rio Tinto deny.
The land swap, outlined in U.S. government documents, reflects the tension between the increasing global attention on the rights of indigenous peoples and the need to boost metals production to power electric vehicles and reduce global carbon emissions. Copper is used to make solar panels, wind turbines and EV batteries.
The San Carlos Apache Tribe says the mine, if built, would destroy land considered the home of religious deities and sites used for tribal ceremonies, including one to celebrate teenage girls who have come of age.
Read more: https://kfgo.com/2020/12/07/trump-admin-set-to-approve-arizona-land-swap-for-mine-opposed-by-native-americans/

mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)Is Rio Tinto an (at least ostensibly) Native-owned company?
Am I the only one who wishes that ALL religions/cultures would reconsider the whole 'yay the girl is old enough now!' celebrations?
riversedge
(74,117 posts)............The San Carlos Apache tribe have worked with mining companies in the past, most recently selling water to a mine owned by Freeport-McMoRan Inc, though the tribe said that was a decision they made themselves, not one decided by the U.S. government, as with the land swap.
Rio said that its Resolution Copper subsidiary, which is developing the mine, has not tried to expedite the permit process.
"The project is not being 'fast-tracked'," the company said, adding that if the land swap occurs, the Apache will be able to visit the land for the next few decades.
Rio faced criticism earlier this year for destroying indigenous sites in Australia. Native Americans say the mining giant is poised to make the same mistake in Arizona.
Rio said it has consulted with the San Carlos and other Arizona tribes about preserving other culturally significant locations, including Apache Leap, a rock cliff where in the late 19th Century Apaches jumped to their deaths to avoid capture by U.S. troops.
EX500rider
(11,738 posts)In December 2014, President Barack Obama signed the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, which would give land sacred to the Apache in Arizona to Resolution Copper Mine [RCM], a joint venture owned by Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. The Act cleared the way for the land swap in which Resolution Copper would receive 2,422 acres of National Forest land in exchange for deeding to the federal government 5,344 acres of private land.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Flat_(Arizona)
And giving 2,400 acres to receive 5,300 to preserve seems like a good deal. And unfortunately the land is not on reservation land but in the Tonto National Forest.
maxsolomon
(35,689 posts)Anglo-Australian ownership, publiclly traded, HQ in a skyscraper in Melbourne.
Take a gander at the mountains SW of Salt Lake City near "Copperton" - a massive pit mine. That's where this will wind up.
McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)gfwzig
(146 posts)produce
maxsolomon
(35,689 posts)Just ask any metal thief you know.
Rio Tinto will get at those metals sooner or later...
kimbutgar
(24,000 posts)New leases. Some of their powers need to be suspended after an election.
truthisfreedom
(23,346 posts)SINGLE electrical device on earth, literally. Your walls are full of it, to power your house. Your car is full of it, in the wiring harnesses and alternator. Your phone and computer are full of it. It's in telephone lines. It's in your stereo. IT'S EVERYWHERE IN MODERN TECHNOLOGY.
mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)marieo1
(1,402 posts)This is terrible - what belongs to the tribe should stay with the tribe and be left alone!!!!!! Haven't we done enough to the Natives already without heaping more pain and trauma on them.
EX500rider
(11,738 posts)marieo1
(1,402 posts)It sounded like it was on reservation land............why would they want to mine in one of our National Forests? Don't these national forests belong to all of us? Why destroy one of our national treasures?
marieo1
(1,402 posts)It sounded like it was on reservation land............why would they want to mine in one of our National Forests? Don't these national forests belong to all of us? Why destroy one of our national treasures?
EX500rider
(11,738 posts).... in which Resolution Copper would receive 2,422 acres of National Forest land in exchange for deeding to the federal government 5,344 acres of private land.
Sloumeau
(2,657 posts)I am looking forward to January 20th being his last stand.
bucolic_frolic
(48,392 posts)it's about owning the libs. this is about hatred.
Midnight Writer
(23,387 posts)Why is he erasing our history?