copper mining
Newsletter
Apache group petitions Supreme Court to halt copper mine on sacred land
Apache Stronghold members are traveling across the U.S. to gather support as they petition the Supreme Court to block a copper mine on Arizona land sacred to their tribe.
In short:
- Apache Stronghold opposes a copper mine planned for Oak Flat, a sacred site in Arizona, arguing it violates their religious freedom.
- The group lost its appeal in lower courts but hopes the Supreme Court will hear their case, claiming the mine threatens their spiritual practices.
- The planned mine could meet 25% of U.S. copper demand but would devastate the environment, leaving a massive crater and depleting local water resources.
Key quote:
“We thought it was an Apache case. But no, it became a Native American case. It became a state case. It’s a country case. It’s a human being case.”
— Wendsler Nosie Sr., leader of Apache Stronghold.
Why this matters:
The case highlights the ongoing conflict between resource extraction and Indigenous rights, raising concerns about environmental destruction and the erosion of sacred cultural practices.
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Newsletter
Copper recycling increases as demand soars
Copper manufacturers in Montreal are boosting recycling efforts to meet rising demand.
In short:
- Nexans mill in Montreal now produces copper rods with 14% recycled metal, aiming for 20%.
- The shift towards electrification to reduce greenhouse gases is driving up copper demand, projected to nearly double by 2035.
- Recycling copper reduces the need for new mining, lessening environmental impacts.
Key quote:
“We say to our customers: Your waste of today, your scrap of today is your energy of tomorrow, so bring back your scrap.”
— Christopher Guérin, CEO of Nexans
Why this matters:
Mining copper is an energy-intensive process that often results in substantial carbon emissions and environmental degradation. By recycling copper, manufacturers can diminish their reliance on mining, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions and preserving natural landscapes.
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The future of mining might be smaller than you think
As the world’s demand for metals continues to rise, some are using microorganisms to mine and “clean” waste.
Newsletter
For clean energy, miners want a road in one of the most remote national parks
A proposed copper mine near two national parks is turning into a test of values — how to protect wilderness while supplying critical minerals
China accused of scores of abuses linked to ‘green mineral’ mining
Watchdog identifies 102 violations over past two years as country extracts ‘transition minerals’ for green-energy technology.
A field day for powerful mining interests
A troubling hearing spearheaded by Rep. Pete Stauber illustrates the need for Congress to permanently protect the BWCA.
In Ecuador, communities protecting a ‘terrestrial coral reef’ face a mining giant
For nearly 30 years, communities have worked to conserve, restore and defend the cloud forests of the Intag Valley in Ecuador, in what locals say is the longest continuous resistance movement against mining in Latin America.
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