Dear Editor,

At Resolution Copper, we have a responsibility to provide accurate and complete information about our proposed mine near Superior, and the pending land exchange legislation that supports it. For that reason, we feel compelled to address Delores Jordan’s June 2 Letter to the Editor.

 The Resolution Copper mine would be an underground operation with no open pits and a smaller footprint than open-pit mines. We do anticipate that subsidence will occur as a consequence of mining. This has been fully recognized and communicated in the community and on our website. Our studies today are intended to evaluate the size and extent of the subsidence and to ensure no impact to Apache Leap. The land exchange legislation explicitly requires that Apache Leap be protected. We are also exploring several means for tailings disposal, including our preferred option for safely and securely placing any tailings in a mined-out pit, and then reclaiming that site.

 At full production, the project would use about 20,000 acre feet of water per year. We’ll meet much of the mine’s water needs with sustainable water sources and minimize water consumption through recycling and other conservation efforts. Already, we are purchasing and banking excess Central Arizona Project (CAP) water for future use in the project.

 Finally, proposed land exchange legislation requires us to complete a full Environmental Impact Statement to identify biological, cultural and environmental resources and create plans to protect them. This will be done prior to the exchange being transacted and the mine beginning full construction.

 Resolution Copper is an Arizona-based company with a local workforce and benefits that will flow directly into the state and local communities. We are committed to complying with the letter and the spirit of laws designed to protect the environment and human rights, as are our parent companies, Rio Tinto and BHP. Rio Tinto is recognized as worthy of listing in both the FTSE4Good and Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. These indices measure, actively monitor and report companies whose economic, environmental and social performance meet strict rules and requirements.  

 We are committed to developing this project in a way that protects and benefits the local economy, the community and the natural surroundings for generations to come.

 Resolution Copper continues to advance their technical studies including the areas of water and subsidence. We welcome the Tribes’ help in guiding the project development through their knowledge and understanding of the natural and cultural resources. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss our project with Ms. Jordan and other tribal elders and officials.

David Salisbury, President and CEO of Resolution

Copper Mining