Our Concerns
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Current Mining Projects Proposed for the Patagonia Mountains Region:
Mining activity began locally in the late 1700s and continued with significant activity from 1857 through to the early 1960s. The Patagonia Mountains have hundreds of old mine sites, many of which continue to leak toxic sludge known as acid mine drainage. Mining companies typically walk away from the environmental disasters they create, leaving the taxpayers to bear the cost of any necessary cleanup. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, hard rock mining produces more toxic waste than any other industry in the USA. Mining has a boom and bust history for local communities.
Several foreign mining companies are currently attempting to develop large-scale mines in our bioregion. There is no modern mining that will meet the standards of responsible mining to sufficiently protect the health and vitality of our ecosystem. The Patagonia Mountains are part of the Madrean Pine Oak Woodlands, a global biodiversity hotspot identified by scientists as one of the top regions in the world most in need of protection for species survival.
The Patagonia Mountains and Sonoita Creek Watershed are currently imperiled by several proposed industrial mining operations that total 39,085 acres (61 square miles) of claims. These include the following international (non-U.S.) companies.
South32 (Previously Arizona Mining Inc.)
Australian mining company South32 currently controls 450 patented acres and 26,073 acres of unpatented claims on Forest Service public lands. Their project is known as the Hermosa Project and will likely process zinc, lead, and silver ore.
LOCATION: Harshaw, Mowry, Guajolote Peak. See map below.
STATUSES:
- 2021: South32 expects to release a pre-feasibility study in Summer 2021 for their Taylor Deposit.
- 2020: South32 releases a Mineral Resource Declaration for the Clark Deposit.
- 2020: South32 completes “voluntary” remediation project.
- 2019: South32 releases a Mineral Resource Declaration for the Taylor Deposit.
- 2018: Australian mining giant South32 acquires Arizona Mining Inc.
- 2018: Arizona Mining Inc. obtains key permits to begin construction of a tailings facility and water treatment plant.
- 2018: Arizona Mining Inc. releases Q3 feasibility study on their project.
Press Release: Hermosa mine proposal could deplete southeast Arizona town’s drinking water aquifer. Peer-reviewed report outlines Hermosa pit mine’s risks of water over-consumption and perpetual water pollution to Patagonia area.
Barksdale Resources Corporation
Junior Canadian mining company Barksdale Resources Corporation (“Barksdale”) currently controls 12,280 acres of unpatented claimed public lands. Barksdale owns three projects: Sunnyside, 4 Metals, and San Antonio.
LOCATION: Alum Gulch to Soldier Basin. See map below.
STATUSES:
- 2020: Scoping period for San Antonio exploratory drilling project announced on Forest Service SOPAs page in August.
- 2020: Comment period for Sunnyside exploratory drilling project expected to open in October.
- 2020: Barksdale Capital Corporation changes its name to Barksdale Resources Corporation.
- 2019: PARA and 128 others file NEPA comments with the Forest Service re: Barksdale Capital’s scoping notice.
- 2019: Barksdale Capital releases scoping notice for exploratory drilling on Sunnyside project.
- 2015: PARA and Defenders of Wildlife win their litigation on September 15, 2015 against the Forest Service for the unlawful approval of the Sunnyside Proposal.
News Release: Conservation Wins over Exploratory Drilling in Arizona’s Mountain Empire
In addition to the concerns listed above, the Patagonia Mountains and Sonoita Creek watershed will be impacted by the following mining company activities:
- Hudbay’s Rosemont project, which includes mitigation in the Sonoita Creek watershed
- Rio Tinto’s filing of mining claims in the Santa Rita and Patagonia mountain ranges
Video – Acid Mine Drainage Threatens Arizona Biodiversity