The Fight for Oak Flat: Protect Apache Sacred Grounds or allow Development of one of the Largest Copper Deposits in America

Dolde, Doug. “Superstitions” 10/8/2006 via wikimedia commons. Creative Commons license.

The Fight for Oak Flat: Protect Apache Sacred Grounds or Allow Development of one of the Largest Copper Deposits in America?

Mt. Graham is a sacred site for the San Carlos Apache tribe. It is a burial site for their elders, and a portal to communicate with their gods. In 1873 the US government removed the area from the Apache reservation and re-purposed it as public lands (controlled by the US Forest Service), despite the knowledge that it was a sacred area.  Unfortunately the University of Arizona and the Vatican identified Mt. Graham as a prime spot to build an astronomy observatory, and in 1991 they began construction despite opposition from the Apache tribe. The observation was built, but the controversy didn’t end there. Various Apache, environmental, governmental, and non-governmental organizations lobbied on both sides of the argument for the next few years. The observatory remains on top of Mt. Graham today.

A Current Struggle:

The San Carlos Apache are currently engaged in a battle for the protection of another area that they consider sacred. Oak Flat, just East of Superior, Az., a coming of age ceremony site. It’s also a unique rock-climbing destination, and a beautiful chunk of Southern Arizona wilderness. Unfortunately, one of the largest copper

deposits ever discovered in the United States lies directly underneath Oak Flat.

Crouthamel, Andrew. “Bingham Canyon”. 1/1/2004 via wikiedia commons. Creative Commons License.

The potential economic value of the copper deposit is indisputable, and interested parties have been trying to acquire the land for mining purposes for nearly 10 years. In December 2014, Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake covertly added a small section to an important military spending bill (video link) that opened the Oak Flat area to mining by Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of the mining company Rio Tinto.

Megan. “Money” 3/21/2011 via flickr. Creative Commons License

So, exactly how much economic value would Oak Flat have if mined?

If uncovered, the economic value of the copper deposit under Oak Flat would be huge. In an opinion article in AZCentral in late 2014 McCain stated:

“This project will tap the largest copper deposit ever discovered in North America. Over time, it will produce 25 percent of U.S copper demand. Perhaps most importantly, the mine will create an estimated 3,700 mining and mining-related jobs and generate over $61 billion in economic activity over 60 years, according to an independent study by Elliot D. Pollak & Company. That is the economic equivalent of Arizona hosting two Super Bowls every year for more than half a century.”

That much money provides some powerful reasoning, especially with poverty rates within the San Carlos Apache tribe (49%) are more than triple those of the State. It seems that the increase in economic activity in the area would have the potential to greatly benefit the tribe if any of the money made it back to them.

Could McCain and Flake have ulterior motives?

The potential economic benefits of mining are all well and good, but in the United States where campaign contributions often influence the actions of politicians, it’s important to question McCain and Flake’s motives. It turns out that John McCain is the top recipient of campaign finance money from Rio Tinto, and Jeff Flake, a former lobbyist for the mining industry, has received more than 200k$ in campaign financing from mining companies. This is important contextual information and definitely raises doubts about who they’re really looking out for.

Skidmore, Gage. “John Mccain and Jeff Flake” 10/28/2012 via Flickr. Creative Commons license

What do people think about McCain’s actions?

An opinion article in Tucson Weekly titled: “Critics Call McCain's Oak Flat Tactics a New Low” expressed anger over the campaign financing connection between McCain and Rio Tinto, as well as the sneaky tactics that were used to get the land swap passed. The comments section provides some interesting insight into differing public opinion on the issue:

Webb, Michaela "screenshot 1" 9/25/2015

Webb, Michaela. "screenshot 2" 9/25/2015

These commenters are voicing fear that McCain cares more about money than the people and places of Arizona. Others on the forum were happy with McCain’s value system and believe that producing more copper domestically (through mining)  is critical to national security:

Webb, Michaela. "screenshot 3" 9/25/2015

Those who oppose in this comments section care about  the cultural and natural value of Oak Flat, and are against McCain and Flake’s methods (“Sold our state to the highest bidder”). The commenter who supports McCain and Flake seems to be thinking about the role that copper plays in National Security.

How about the Environmental Impacts?

Roy C. Chavez, a lifelong resident and former mayor of Superior, and a spokesperson for the Concerned Citizens and Retired Miners Coalition, says that the environmental impacts of the mine could be considerable. In an opinion article in AZ Central he stated:

“Rio Tinto admits that a mine at Oak Flat would create a hole the size of Meteor Crater... This mine would disrupt the fragile riparian habitat that makes Oak Flat an ecological and recreation haven. It also could disrupt water supplies for Superior, Globe, Miami and the eastern portion of the San Carlos Apache Reservation and for the Phoenix metropolitan area, as this mine would change the hydrology of the area.”

It is clear that the mine would not only destroy an area sacred to the San Carlos Apache, but would also damage an area of incredible natural beauty that has both recreational value and an influence on the water quality of surrounding cities.

Gonzo Fan. "Clear Creek" 4/16/2004 via Wikimedia. Creative Commons License

What do the San Carlos Apache have to say?

In general, the Apache people are outraged that another area with cultural and spiritual significance to them will likely be destroyed. The home page of Apache Stronghold, one of the most active groups in protesting mining development in Oak Flat, reads:

“The greatest sin of the World has been enacted by Senator McCain, Senator Flake… We are calling on all religious faiths, & military veterans, for this country was founded on freedom of speech, religion and worship which has been given away to a foreign mining company.”

This is an especially important issue for the San Carlos Apache; a group of people who have had their land and culture systematically taken from them. They are determined to do everything that they can to repeal the land swap. In an interview with the Indian Country Today Media Network, San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler said: “Oh, we’re not (giving up). It took them 10 years to pass this and if it takes 10 years to repeal it we’ll do it. I keep telling everybody this is not a done deal.”

OpenClipartVectors. “Protest” 9/19/2015 via Pixabay. Creative Commons License.

In August 2015, a group of Apache travelled to Washington for two days of protesting the plans to mine. Over 200 people joined them. On the way to Washington, some of the Apache protesters opened for Neil Young concerts with stories and prayer songs to raise awareness about the fight to protect Oak Flat

What will likely happen?

Although it’s impossible to say what the outcome of this battle will be, Native American groups have a history of losing battles like this. The San Carlos Apache have already lost many sacred places, like Mount Graham.  The truth is that big business interests usually win over the preservation of sacred sites or wilderness. For the land to be protected, a bill proposed by Arizona representative Raul Grijalva would have to be passed. This bill would counteract the rider addition to the National Defense Authorization Act that handed the land over in the first place. On his website, Grijalva states:

“This rally is about the importance of freedom and historical context. It’s about realizing that a deal struck in the dead of night, which would not pass in the light of day, is undercutting the ideals that this nation intends to stand by. That deal tramples basic laws, basic rights, rightful sovereignty and sacred sites in the pursuit of profits and greed.”

The Apache people and their supporters will continue to fight for the protection of their sacred land at Oak Flat, but there’s no saying if they will be successful or not.

Why should this issue matter to you?

This is a multi-faceted issue that leads to vital questions about the way our society functions today. How much does the United States value Native American cultures and religion? Would this site be considered for a mine if it was sacred to a western religion?

It also brings up questions of how sustainable an economy that functions on an infinite growth scale is in a finite world with finite resources. Is the short-term gratification of creating more jobs and generating revenue (within an unsustainable economy) more important than preserving wilderness that has existed for a long time and could for a long time to come?