The transfer of federal forest land in Arizona to developers of a massive copper project has gone through, but the fight is not over. A group of Apache women is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to step in and stop the mine after a key appeals court ruling cleared the way late this week.
The title was conveyed by the federal government to Resolution Copper on Friday. The move followed an appeals court decision that denied requests from the San Carlos Apache Tribe and environmental groups. The court lifted an emergency injunction that had paused the deal since last summer, saying the legal claims were not likely to succeed.
Legal Shift Clears Path for Mining
The appeals court decision changed the trajectory of the long-running dispute. By lifting the injunction, judges signaled they did not expect the challenge to prevail on the merits. That opened the door for the land handoff to proceed.
“The title to the land was conveyed by the federal government to Resolution Copper on Friday after an appeals court denied requests by the San Carlos Apache Tribe and environmentalists seeking to block the move.”
In a further setback for opponents, the court found the claims were unlikely to succeed. That assessment led to the removal of the temporary block that had held since last summer.
“The appeals court determined that the plaintiffs’ legal claims likely would not succeed and lifted an emergency injunction that was put in place last summer.”
Who Is Involved and What They Want
At the center is Resolution Copper, a partnership of two international companies planning to mine what is described as one of the largest copper deposits in North America. The federal government initiated the title transfer to allow that project to advance.
Opposing the project are the San Carlos Apache Tribe, a coalition of environmental groups, and a separate group of Apache women now seeking relief from the U.S. Supreme Court. They argue the land is significant and that the project should not proceed under the current terms.
“A group of Apache women is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene as a last-ditch effort to stop the project.”
What Is at Stake
Supporters of the mine point to the scale of the deposit and the role copper plays in power grids, vehicles, and construction. They say a large domestic supply could support industry and reduce reliance on imports. They also argue the project could bring jobs and new investment to the region.
Opponents raise concerns about the loss of federal forest land, potential harm to cultural and sacred sites, and risks to water and wildlife. They say the review and transfer did not address the full cost to communities.
- Backers see a major source of copper for U.S. demand.
- Opponents warn of cultural loss and lasting environmental damage.
- Courts have so far sided with the transfer proceeding.
How the Appeals Ruling Changes the Timeline
The emergency injunction had paused any transfer while the case moved forward. By ending that pause, the appeals court allowed the federal government to complete the title change to Resolution Copper. That concrete step makes the project harder to unwind, though not impossible if the Supreme Court intervenes.
The Apache women’s request places the next decision with the nation’s highest court. The justices can decline to hear the case, issue a temporary stay, or take it up on an expedited basis. The standard for emergency relief is high, and the request comes after a ruling that doubted the claims would prevail.
What to Watch Next
The immediate question is whether the Supreme Court will grant any stay while it considers the filing. If the Court does not pause the transfer’s effects, Resolution Copper could proceed with planning tied to the newly secured title. If a stay is granted, further activity could stall again.
The broader debate over access to minerals and protection of cultural sites will continue. Copper demand is strong, and tribes and environmental groups are pressing for stronger safeguards and different siting for mines. Investors, local residents, and state officials will watch for signals from the Court on the legal path ahead.
For now, the project has cleared a major barrier with the title transfer in hand. The last word may rest with the Supreme Court, which could decide whether this handoff stands or is put on hold yet again.
