Senator McCain and Mayor Hing

SUPERIOR - Arizona Senator John McCain made a personal appearance before a standing room only crowd at the Superior Junior/Senior High School on Monday, June 29, 2009 to discuss the Resolution Copper Mining Project and the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act.

Resolution Copper Mining, LLC is seeking to mine what is believed to be the largest deposit of high-grade copper ore 7,000 feet below the ground east of downtown Superior, utilizing the panel caving or block caving technique. In this method the ore would be accessed from underneath and waste rock would be used for reclaiming and restoring the former Magma Mine site.

Locally, the 66-year Resolution Project is estimated to bring a total of 5,808 in direct and indirect jobs to the area, with an estimated $305 million in annual wages. The annual economic impact on the state is estimated to be even greater at $ 798.2 million; equal to one-and-one-half Super Bowls a year for the next 66 years. Over the course of the 66-year project the total impact on the state economy is estimated at $46.4 billion.

The Southeast Arizona Land Exchange (S.409) facilitates a transfer of approximately 3,000 acres in and around the Oak Flat Campground to Resolution in exchange for approximately 5,500 acres of environmentally sensitive lands. In addition, Resolution agrees to provide financial support for the development of one or more campgrounds in the Tonto National Forest to replace the Oak Flat Campground and also agrees to surrender all rights to mine under Apache Leap, a sacred Native American area.

Land Exchange Protest

The land exchange bill was recently thrown a curve ball from the Obama Administration at a Senate hearing last week. Ned Farquhar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management for the U. S. Department of the Interior told the senate that the “Administration” may have additional concerns, and suggested a two or three year delay in approving the exchange.

“They (Resolution) have already spent $400 million on this project, they’re not going to wait forever,” warned McCain, who shared his belief that the project must move forward soon.

“Copper is a vital resource,” said McCain, pointing out that copper is used in almost every manufacturing process. “We need to decide if we are going to be an exporter or an importer. It is in the interest of our national security to not have to depend on foreign sources for copper.”

“I saw the closed store fronts and businesses. I know you are hurting,” said McCain. “There is no greater stimulus package (than the Resolution Project) for this part of Arizona and the federal coffers.”

“If you support this, you must get active. If opposed, your voice will be heard as well,” he said adding, “But have no doubt where I come down on this issue.”

Before opening the floor for questions, McCain asked that the issue be kept bi-partisan and requested that questions not be of a political nature.