- Federal Judge Pauses Land Swap: On May 9, U.S. District Judge Steven Logan granted a temporary injunction halting the land transfer from the federal government to mining company Resolution Copper.
- Reason for Injunction: The judge ruled that Apache Stronghold, representing the San Carlos Apache Tribe, showed a likely risk of irreparable harm if the swap proceeded.
- Supreme Court Involvement Pending: The injunction remains in place until the U.S. Supreme Court either denies or agrees to hear the case.
- Background: The proposed underground mine at Oak Flat—60 miles east of Phoenix—has long been opposed by the Apache, who consider the site sacred.
- Mine Scale: If built, the mine would create a 1,000-foot-deep, 2-mile-wide crater and could become North America’s largest copper mine, generating 3,700 jobs.
- History of the Land Swap: Authorized in 2014 through a provision added by Sen. John McCain, the deal involves a swap of 2,422 acres of public land for 5,344 acres owned by Resolution Copper.
- Project Delays: Though the Forest Service cleared environmental hurdles last month, legal challenges—now reaching the Supreme Court—are keeping the project in limbo.
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