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Mining industry

Temporary Injunction Halts Transfer of Sacred Native American Land for Copper Mine

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel has granted a temporary injunction, halting the proposed transfer of a sacred Native American site, Oak Flat or Chí'chil BiÅ,dagoteel, to Resolution Copper, a foreign company. This decision comes after a district judge recently declined to stop the transfer of about 2,400 acres of land, which could have taken place as early as August 19. The San Carlos Apache Tribe and others opposed to the mining project had requested the temporary injunction. The consolidated cases will now proceed on an accelerated schedule, with a hearing potentially held as soon as mid-October.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has granted a temporary administrative injunction to preserve the status quo while motions are pending.
  • The site, Oak Flat, is sacred to Native Americans and has been a place of worship, prayer, and religious ceremony for centuries.
  • The transfer of the land to Resolution Copper was halted at the request of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and other opponents of the mining project.
  • The lawsuits challenging the mine have been consolidated, and a hearing could be held as soon as mid-October.
  • The preservation of Oak Flat is necessary for Native American spiritual and cultural practices.
  • The transfer of the land could have resulted in significant environmental damage and harm to the local ecosystem.
  • The Presbyterian Hunger Program and other organizations have expressed support for preserving Oak Flat and protecting the land from mining.

Statistics:

  • 2,400 acres of land were proposed to be transferred to Resolution Copper.
  • The transfer of the land could have taken place as early as August 19.
  • 3,800 jobs are claimed to be affected by the delay, according to President Donald Trump.
  • The site, Oak Flat, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • The Apache Stronghold joins the Center for Biological Diversity and the Presbyterian Hunger Program in advocating for the preservation of Oak Flat.

Sources:

  • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
  • Apache Stronghold/Save Oak Flat Facebook page
  • Center for Biological Diversity
  • Presbyterian News Service

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