Supreme Court Deals Blow to Arizona’s Oak Flat, Rejecting Mining Protection Lawsuit

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review Apache Stronghold’s case concerning the controversial transfer of Oak Flat to a copper mining company. This landmark decision allows Resolution Copper to proceed with plans that will significantly alter the sacred site, which is integral to the Apache community.

Apache Stronghold first sought intervention from the U.S. District Court in Phoenix on May 7, aiming to prevent the Trump administration from advancing the land exchange. The proposed mining operation threatens to transform this spiritual landscape into a vast crater, raising concerns over cultural preservation and environmental impact.

The ruling highlights ongoing tensions between governmental policies and indigenous rights, underscoring the challenges faced by the Apache community in safeguarding their ancestral lands. The case has attracted attention from various advocacy groups, emphasizing the broader implications for native sovereignty and environmental justice.