The US Senate gave Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton a Christmas present by paving the way for their proposed copper mine in Arizona on land sacred to the Apache people. For background, see Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton in Arizona: copper project in conflict with Apaches and others. For more recent news, read the articles below.
USA: Senate passes huge Arizona copper mine
On 12 December 2014, the US Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Defense bill contains the Oak Flat land exchange, paving the way for the country’s largest copper mine which is owned by Anglo-Australian mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton.
Rio Tinto/BHP Billiton copper mine will hurt tribes and the environment
Rio Tinto should make some lands off limits to mining and abandon the project if it can’t gain local support.
Protesters march against controversial land deal passed by Congress
About 50 protesters gathered outside of Arizona Sen. John McCain’s office calling for the end of a controversial land deal, despite the fact that it has already been passed by Congress.