FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kenna O’Neill — koneill@miningamerica.org
Spokane Valley, WA – The American Exploration & Mining Association filed an amicus brief Monday, June 29, with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit supporting the U.S. Forest Service and Hudbay Minerals appeal of the U.S. District Court of Arizona’s errant Rosemont decision. In July 2019, the District Court revoked the U.S. Forest Service’s issuance of the Final Record of Decision for the Rosemont project in Arizona. AEMA’s filing follows the Hudbay Minerals Inc. and U.S. Federal Government’s initial briefs which were separately filed earlier this month.
"The district court flat out got it wrong, ignoring the plain language of the statutes and regulations as well as nearly 150 years of practice, application and judicial precedent,” said American Exploration & Mining Association Executive Director Mark Compton. “AEMA strongly supports the Forest Service and Rosemont appealing this unprecedented decision. The recent pandemic and resulting global supply chain issues highlight the importance of an abundant and affordable supply of domestic minerals for
America’s future. The district court’s flawed decision has severe implications for our Nation’s ability to produce the minerals our society requires for everything from healthcare to infrastructure, clean energy and manufacturing, and it must be overturned.”
The copper that would be produced from the Rosemont Mine Project will make an important contribution to the Nation’s domestic mineral supplies. The World Bank Group’s May 2020 report, “Minerals for Climate Action: The Mineral Intensity of the Clean Energy Transition” shows that copper is
essential to ten low-carbon energy technologies. Unfortunately, the U.S. relied on foreign countries for 35% of the copper we needed in 2019. Development of the Rosemont Mine Project would help reduce this reliance while creating well-paying jobs at a modern mining operation that will be designed, operated and closed in compliance with stringent environmental protection standards.
About AEMA: American Exploration & Mining Association is a 129 year old, 1,800 member, national association representing the minerals industry. With members in 46 states, AEMA is the recognized national voice for exploration, the junior mining sector, maintaining access to public lands, and represents the entire mining life cycle, from exploration through production to reclamation and closure.