The proposed Rosemont Mine, a massive, open-pit copper operation in the Santa Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson, will be back in court this fall as opponents challenge permits for the project, the latest twist in an 11-year battle.
Supporters say the mine has been studied to death and will bring much-needed jobs to Pima County.
Opponents say the review process has been flawed and that the mine would be in “the absolute worst place” with regard to environmental and public-health threats.
The ongoing debate comes as Hudbay Minerals awaits what could be the final step in getting approval for the mine, the Army Corps of Engineers’ issuance of a Section 404 permit. That permit is named for a section of the Clean Water Act regulating the discharge of fill material into waterways.
