ADEQ Engages Community in Vital Dialogue on Air Permit for Controversial Copper World Mine

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is set to host a community meeting on Wednesday to address concerns related to the proposed Copper World project. The session will run from 6 to 9 p.m. at Corona Foothills Middle School, located at 16705 S. Houghton Rd. in Vail, Arizona. This meeting is part of the ADEQ’s process in evaluating an air quality permit for the mine, which is planned to be situated approximately 30 miles southeast of Tucson in the Santa Rita Mountains.

The public comment period for the permit began on July 15 and will conclude on September 15. In addition to the community meeting, a public hearing is scheduled for September 10.

Environmental advocates have expressed strong opposition to the Copper World project, asserting that an open-pit mine would significantly harm the Santa Ritas and the Santa Cruz River. The Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity has initiated a petition urging Karen Peters, ADEQ’s executive deputy director, to reject the project. They argue that the proposed permit lacks adequate measures to protect air quality and the environment, giving the mine a “free pass to pollute.”

Critics highlight that the project would involve activities such as blasting, ore crushing, and processing, as well as constructing a sulfuric acid plant, all of which pose risks of releasing substantial amounts of toxic air pollutants annually, compromising public health.

The Save the Scenic Santa Ritas Association, which has long fought against the mine, published the center’s letter and encouraged supporters to voice their opinions at the upcoming events.

Conversely, the Southern Arizona Business Coalition is rallying support for the Copper World project, claiming it will provide economic and environmental benefits. They have encouraged community members to attend the meeting to demonstrate support, stating that public involvement is crucial for the project’s advancement.

Owned by Toronto-based Hudbay Inc., the Copper World project represents a $1.7 billion investment over two decades. The company anticipates generating nearly $250 million in property taxes and creating over 400 direct jobs, with an additional 3,000 indirect jobs throughout Arizona.

However, a review by Power Consulting Inc. on behalf of Save the Scenic Santa Ritas challenges Hudbay’s findings, claiming that the Copper World project would yield minimal economic benefits for Tucson while threatening the environment and public health.

The proposed mine is expected to produce various air contaminants, including dust, nitrogen oxides, and hazardous pollutants, according to ADEQ’s assessment. The agency intends to conduct the community meeting to facilitate public involvement in the decision-making process.

Earlier this year, ADEQ held a separate community meeting regarding groundwater permitting for the mine, which will predominantly occupy private land. Both the groundwater and air permits are the final regulatory obstacles facing the Copper World project.

This project will involve creating six open pits over the next 15 years, handling up to 277.4 million tons of sulfide ore and generating approximately 477 million tons of waste rock, to be stored in tailing ponds on site.

In preparation for the project, Hudbay has begun site preparations, including road construction and habitat disruption, anticipating final approvals. Previously, Hudbay proposed the Rosemont Mine, which faced significant opposition due to potential ecological impacts on endangered species habitats. Following legal challenges, the company has pivoted to focus on the Copper World project in a different area of the Santa Rita Mountains.

In August 2022, the ADEQ assumed control of the air quality review from Pima County, following a resolution from the Board of Supervisors opposing the Copper World project.