By Ian James | Arizona Republic
A judge on Monday overturned a key government approval for a proposed copper mine in Arizona’s Coronado National Forest, ordering federal wildlife officials to redo their analysis of potential effects on jaguars and other endangered species.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge James Soto followed an earlier decision in July that halted construction of the giant Rosemont mine in the Santa Rita Mountains.
The latest decision appears to add another obstacle for Toronto-based Hudbay Minerals Inc., which is continuing to try to move ahead with plans for the mine.
“The Forest Service has to redo their analysis, plus now U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has to redo their analysis,” said Marc Fink, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. “It’s another major permit that’s been found to be unlawful and sent back to the agencies to try again.”
