Mining company Rio Tinto announced Monday it has secured control of Arizona property necessary for developing the Resolution Copper mine, concluding a lengthy legal battle that has stretched over two decades with Native American opposition.
The development signals the likely conclusion of an intricate court dispute that placed the spiritual rights of San Carlos Apache communities against increasing copper demand for clean energy initiatives and federal goals to reduce dependence on international mineral sources.
The Anglo-Australian mining corporation transferred 5,400 acres of Arizona territory to the U.S. Forest Service, receiving access to 2,400 acres containing over 40 billion pounds of copper reserves. This metal serves as an essential component for electric car manufacturing, electrical wiring, and various electronic products.
The property exchange proceeded after federal appeals courts rejected blocking attempts last week, and the Supreme Court declined to intervene with emergency action.
Rio Tinto plans to begin a $500 million exploration drilling program to assess the mineral deposit, which represents a required phase before determining potential copper production timelines.
San Carlos Apache representatives and their legal counsel were unavailable for immediate response. The tribal nation has maintained that federal authorities lacked legitimate rights to the exchanged territory, even filing a property claim in 2021.
“This responsible mining project fulfills President Trump’s vision of American mineral independence,” stated U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Monday. The Forest Service operates under Agriculture Department oversight.
Apache communities and supporting groups have battled for years against the congressional land arrangement from 2014, citing concerns that mining operations will eventually destroy Oak Flat, known as Chi’chil Biłdagoteel in Apache language, where tribal members conduct religious ceremonies.
Various judicial bodies, including the nation’s highest court, have consistently dismissed attempts to halt the Resolution project.
Former President Trump expressed public backing for the initiative last August, writing on his Truth Social platform that project opponents “are Anti-American, and representing other copper competitive Countries.”
Rio Tinto and partner company BHP Group have invested over $2 billion in the venture without generating copper output.
“As demand for copper continues to grow, projects like Resolution can play an important role in strengthening domestic supply chains,” commented Katie Jackson, who leads Rio’s copper operations.
BHP, holding a 45% stake compared to Rio’s 55% ownership, described Resolution as positioned “to be an engine for economic growth in the U.S., creating thousands of high-value, local jobs and billions in economic activity nationwide.”
