In a dramatic legal move, the Apache Stronghold, representing Arizona’s San Carlos Apache tribe, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to halt Rio Tinto and BHP’s ambitious Resolution Copper project. The case has now reached the nation’s highest court after a contentious decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that permitted the federal government to transfer land to the mining giants.
The Apache Stronghold argues that developing the Resolution Copper mine would violate their First Amendment rights by destroying Chi’chil Biłdagoteel, a sacred site at Oak Flat Campground. This area, rich with over 40 billion pounds of copper, is integral to their religious practices.
The appeal follows a months-long journey from Arizona to Washington, culminating in a ceremonial protest outside the Supreme Court. The court’s decision to hear the case could potentially reshape the balance between religious freedoms and resource development.
With the Biden administration’s Justice Department defending the land swap, and both Rio Tinto and BHP having already invested over $2 billion into the project, the stakes are exceptionally high. The outcome of this case could hinge on whether at least four justices agree to review the appeal, with a potential ruling expected by next June.
