Supreme Court Denies Review of Apache Stronghold's Case, Allowing Destruction of Oak Flat Sacred Site

Strategic Insights -

The United States Supreme Court has denied a review of Apache Stronghold's case aimed at blocking the transfer of Oak Flat, a sacred site to the Apache people, to a copper mining company. The decision comes after Apache Stronghold initially asked the U.S. District Court in Phoenix to temporarily block the land swap. The Trump administration plans to reissue a final environmental impact statement regarding Oak Flat and transfer the land to Resolution Copper as early as June 16. The Supreme Court's decision removes any obstacles to halting the land transfer from occurring.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Supreme Court has denied a review of Apache Stronghold's case, allowing the destruction of Oak Flat, a sacred site to the Apache people.
  • The land transfer, which was initially blocked by a temporary injunction, will now proceed as planned by the Trump administration.
  • The decision comes after Apache Stronghold's appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in 2024 that the land transfer is not subject to federal laws protecting religious freedom.
  • The case has been ongoing since 2021, with the grassroots group Apache Stronghold leading the effort to protect the sacred site.
  • A dissenting opinion by Justice Neil Gorsuch argues that the court's decision is a "grave mistake" and that the case meets all of the standards the court typically applies when evaluating petitions for review.
  • Resolution Copper plans to turn the sacred site into a two-mile-wide and 1,100-foot-deep crater.
  • Apache Stronghold has vowed to continue fighting in court to stop the government from transferring Oak Flat to Resolution Copper.
  • The mine has the potential to become "one of the largest copper mines in America" and is "vital to securing America's energy future, infrastructure needs, and national defense with a domestic supply of copper and other critical minerals."

Statistics:

  • 2024: The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the land transfer is not subject to federal laws protecting religious freedom.
  • 2021: The courtroom battle for Oak Flat began, with Apache Stronghold leading the effort.
  • 2025: The Supreme Court denied review of Apache Stronghold's case, allowing the destruction of Oak Flat.
  • 2021-present: Apache Stronghold has been fighting in court to stop the government from transferring Oak Flat to Resolution Copper.

Sources:

  • Becket
  • Apache Stronghold v. United States (https://becketfund.org/case/apache-stronghold-v-united-states/)
  • Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
  • Sandra Day O'Connor Courthouse (https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/052725zor_p8k0.pdf)
  • Arizona Mirror (https://azmirror.com/subscribe)
  • Hecho (https://www.hechoonline.org/blog/resolution-coppers-mine-at-oak-flat-myths-vs-facts#:)