Mining company makes copper discovery south of Tucson

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TUCSON, Arizona (AP) – A Canada-based mining company said it had found significant copper deposits in the western part of the Santa Rita Mountains, potentially warranting open pit mining near residents south of Tucson.

Hudbay Minerals Inc. announced Wednesday that drilling at its Copper World deposits has found higher grades of copper closer to the surface than at its adjacent Rosemont mine east of Arizona’s southern mountain range, the Arizona Daily Star reported.

“Copper World has the potential to host at least four economic deposits,” said Cashel Meagher, the company’s senior vice president.

The four deposits are located on private property owned by the company and were acquired by the federal government through patented mining rights. If more copper mines are discovered, business leaders and outside investors expect the mines to bring more high-paying jobs to the region.

However, residents near the mountain range in Green Valley, Quail Creek and Sahuarita have raised concerns about the potential project, the visibility of mining operations and the already declining groundwater supplies.

Andre Lauzon, vice president of the Hudbay, Arizona business unit, told Green Valley News that some portions of the mine and its operations are likely to be visible from Green Valley and Sahuarita.

“What and how much will be visible depends on the future mine plan and the scope of a new project,” said Lauzon.

Environmental engineer Charles Stack, a Quail Creek resident, said people paid big bucks to move to upscale suburbs and won’t be happy with the view. He also noted that there was no modern infrastructure in the area to support copper mining.

“Mining on the western flank of the Santa Ritas would require significant improvements to regional transportation and utility facilities, and it is doubtful that sufficient recoverable copper in these claims could support mining activities,” said Stack.

Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy congratulated the company on its discovery and said it has supported the Rosemont mine since it was proposed more than a decade ago.

Hudbay must now drill additional drilling and complete a feasibility study before submitting mining proposals to government agencies. The company has not yet announced a schedule.

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