Court system

Supreme Court Rejects Apache Appeal on Sacred Land Mining

Published MAY 27 2025

Story

Above: A police officer is seen outside the Supreme Court of the United States on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C., U.S. Image credit: Matt McClain/Contributor/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The Facts

The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) on Tuesday rejected an appeal from Apache Stronghold, representing members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, who sought to halt a large-scale copper mining project on federal land in Arizona that the Stronghold considers sacred.
NBC
FOX 10 Phoenix
The Associated Press
The justices left in place lower court decisions allowing the transfer of Tonto National Forest land, known as Oak Flat, to mining company Resolution Copper, which plans to mine what it claims is the world's second-largest known copper deposit.
The Times of India
Financial Post
The Associated Press
Resolution Copper, a joint venture 55% owned by Rio Tinto and 45% owned by BHP, estimates the mine could produce 40 billion pounds of copper over its lifetime and generate $1 billion annually for Arizona's economy while creating thousands of local jobs.
Reuters
Financial Post
The Associated Press
Conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas dissented from the court's decision, with Gorsuch comparing the situation to demolishing a historic cathedral, arguing the court would have acted differently for Christian claims. Justice Samuel Alito recused himself because he owns BHP stock.
Reuters
NBC
The Associated Press
Apache tribes consider Oak Flat, with its ancient oak groves and traditional plants, spiritually essential and use it for sacred ceremonies, including the four-day "Sunrise Ceremony."
Financial Post
NBC
The Associated Press
Congress approved the land swap in 2014 as part of a defense spending bill, requiring Resolution Copper to exchange 3.75 square miles (9.71 square km) of forest land for eight parcels it owns in Arizona, with the transfer conditioned on completion of an environmental impact statement.
Reuters
The Times of India
The Associated Press

Sources Split

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CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

While it's heartbreaking to see historic lands like Oak Flat mined, copper is vital for jobs and the green energy shift. The Morenci Mine shows the scale needed for wiring, turbines, and transmission lines to support renewables. Despite environmental costs, copper's role in clean energy is undeniable, driving economic and sustainable progress.

Kollibri

Narrative B

This ruling is illogical from both a moral and economic perspective. This site, vital for Apache religious ceremonies, will now be destroyed for a copper mine that won't even deliver on its promises, particularly regarding jobs, which will either be automated or outsourced to China. Furthermore, existing copper in landfills would suffice, and this new mine's massive water use threatens Arizona's drought-hit reserves.