TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Pima County officers have expressed considerations a few proposed aquifer allow for Hudbay’s Copper World mine within the Santa Rita Mountains.
Three county departments labored collectively to submit a 20-page letter of criticism to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Their considerations included the shortage of extra permits, how shut the mining venture is to water sources, and storage of waste from processing.
This was a part of a public remark interval on the proposed allow, with native residents break up between agreeing and disagreeing with the county’s feedback.
“The allow complies with the principles and rules set forth inside ADEQ,” mentioned Rick Grinnell of the Southern Arizona Business Coalition. “At this time, this venture is throughout the guidelines and rules and we count on it to be accepted.”
Mr. Grinnell totally helps the proposed allow and has confidence in ADEQ.
“They know what they’re doing,” Grinnell mentioned. “These individuals are professionals. They did not simply come out of college and immediately begin doing this. They’re professionals who’ve years of labor expertise and perceive the principles. Did they’ve a duty as nicely? is.”
Robert Peters of Save the Scenic Santa Ritas mentioned additional investigation was wanted.
“Like Pima, we employed three skilled scientists, a number of hydrologists, and one mining engineer to intently study that allow. got here up with the very same downside,” Peters mentioned.
Perhaps the largest concern for Peters and the county is the waste that will probably be created.
“They aren’t proposing to place liners beneath the 600-foot-tall tailings piles that include poisonous waste. Some of those piles are situated in Carona de Tucson, inside a half-mile of an elementary faculty. It’s going to be proper subsequent door,” Peters insisted. “They include lead, selenium and different poisonous chemical compounds.”
13 The information reached Pima County and Hudbay, the corporate behind the Copperworld Mine.
Both declined to be interviewed, however Pima County mentioned it’s open to responding to Hudbay’s letter.
Hudbay launched the next assertion:
“The Copper World Project complies with trade requirements and can adjust to all environmental legal guidelines to guard groundwater high quality. The assertion submitted by Pima County, together with statements from different stakeholders, each contribute to the sturdy public remark interval that’s inspired.”
ADEQ advised 13 News it should take a number of months to course of the 5,000 feedback it obtained, however as soon as it’s completed, it should reply by way of a doc referred to as a “Response Summary.”
“Public suggestions is a vital part of the allowing course of,” mentioned Randall Matas with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. “This is important in order that we will obtain and take into account these technical feedback and replace the allow as mandatory to make sure that we even have the strongest and most protected allow potential.”
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