Conflict arises over Arizona copper mine on sacred grounds, testing the balance between green energy demands and Indigenous religious rights.
Taylar Dawn Stagner reports for Grist.
In short:
- A copper mine proposed on sacred Indigenous land in Arizona sparks a legal battle, weighing religious freedom against environmental solutions.
- The San Carlos Apache Tribe deems the site crucial for spiritual practices, while the mining project promises economic benefits and vital copper for green technology.
- Despite an appeal to stop construction, a court ruling permits mining, prompting a possible Supreme Court showdown over substantial burdens on religious practice.
Key quote:
"Oak Flat is like Mount Sinai to us — our most sacred site where we connect without Creator, our faith, our families and our land.”
— Wendsler Noise, Apache Stronghold
Why this matters:
The controversy surrounding the proposed Resolution Copper mine at Oak Flat has sparked a significant debate that touches on environmental conservation, economic development, and Indigenous rights. Oak Flat, a stretch of Arizona desert east of Phoenix, is considered sacred by the San Carlos Apache Tribe and other Native American groups. It's also the site of one of the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world.
Related: Modern boundaries complicate —and stymie—the Menominee Tribe's effort to protect burial grounds.
