Pima County spends big, working overtime to kill Rosemont Copper Mine
by Hugh Holub on Mar. 20, 2011, under economy, environment water and energy, politicsFrom Inside Tucson’s Business March 18, 2011:
Pima County spends big, working overtime to kill Rosemont Copper Mine
By Hugh Holub
Here is another example why Pima County has become famous for being anti-economic development: As most everyone knows, county leaders are virulently opposed to the proposed Rosemont Copper Mine on the east side of the Santa Rita Mountains.
On March 9, County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry issued another lengthy screed against the mine project entitled “Proposed Rosemont Mine – Three Dimensional Model for Public Education Unknown Mitigation, Comparatively Low Tex Rates and High Profitability.”
Business leaders ought to read this to appreciate just how far Pima County will go to trash a multi-billion dollar investment in the region.
At the conclusion the report states: “Although election results are only one way to measure the values and views of a community, they do provide an indicator as to what a community desires. This community has consistently voted for conservation of our natural and cultural resources for over 30 years. Any mine proposal of this magnitude in this location is inconsistent with this ethic.”
However, the report fails to note the privately owned property where the Rosemont copper deposit is located was not included on the list of target properties Pima wanted to acquire with its open space bond issue. And the report fails to note that when offered the property by the former owner, Pima County rejected it. …
….It’s time taxpayers started asking: How much taxpayer money is Pima County going to spend to try to kill billions of dollars of investment in this region?
March 20th, 2011 on 11:27 am
Does Rosemont copper have a current presence in Tucson or just a lobbyist type representing them?
March 20th, 2011 on 12:38 pm
Rosemont Copper is comprised of some of the very best people in the mining industry. The group is very experienced in all aspects of mine operations and have the needed credentials to manage a operation of this size in Arizona. Southern Arizona needs more companies like Rosement Copper!!!!! The jobs are crucial to the area and if look at the operational plan all aspects of the evironment are protected during the operational period and after the mine is in the reclammation phase. I personally have worked for a few memebers of the senior management team and have total confidence this property will be a success and a huge milestone for mining in AZ.
March 20th, 2011 on 3:15 pm
They do. I represented a group of private well owners adjacent to where they put in a well field…and met their management guys. The issue was the negative impact of the mine wells on my clients who mostly live in mobile homes east of Green Valley. Much to my surprise the mine folks did the right thing and agreed to a well mitigation program unprecedented in the history of this state. They are also trying to recharge CAP water in the Green Valley area to further mitigate their impacts (they don’t have to do this under state water law)…but are being opposed by the same interests that are fighting the mine project….odd
I’ve dealt with a lot of corporate types in my career and the Rosemont management is way ahead of the pack in accepting responsibility for their environmental impact issues and trying to resolve them. Their opposition has drawn an extremely hard line in the sand and lied about a lot of stuff.
March 20th, 2011 on 6:22 pm
Hugh, why are you so interested in painting such a negative picture of Pima county protecting its citizens? Pima County is doing nothing more than try to protect the public from a corporation who claims to bring jobs and revenue to Arizona, but fails to identify how much it will cost us? How much will it cost to rebuild SR83 to safely accomodate thier traffic (over 50% of the traffic)? How much will it cost to replace the groundwater? according to the California coastal commission just the electricity to desalienate water is upwards of $1,000 per acre foot. How much will it cost the region in retirees and thier substantial wealth and continuous income stream not decideing to locate here? How much will it cost Tucson when businesses decide not to locate here since we have destroyed the water quality, air quality, and availability of recreation amenities? Why should the taxpayers pay for all of this while a foreign corporation walks away with $14 billion in profits? Will businesess like the following continue to come to Tucson if we surround it with open pit mines? The Pharmaceutical company Roche is embarking on a major expansion in Tucson, Arizona, on a facility that houses cancer tissue diagnostic operations. The company will invest $180 million and create 500 jobs at Ventana Medical Systems, a company Roche purchased in 2008. Sanofi-aventis is another pharmaceutical company that is investing millions in Oro Valley. The drugmaker is building a $60 million research lab slated to open in June. The company now employs 60 chemists, biologists and other staff. The new facility has the capacity for 108 workers, but the company has no firm timeline on when those positions will be filled These are the types of industries that Tucson wants to attract. One thing that attracts companies like this to the area is the ability to attract the talant necessary to fill the jobs. One thing Tucson currently has is open spaces, beautiful landscapes, clean air, clean water, and wonderful weather. Granted, housing and water consumption by these employees is necessary, but much less environmental impact than an open pit mine.
March 20th, 2011 on 6:23 pm
In a past article you trashed an economic study conducted by Dr. Tom Powers. Dr Powers suggested the enviroment and amentities available to Tucson residents is one thing that attracts businesses who know they can attract professionals to the region. Since his study
The Pharmaceutical company Roche is embarking on a major expansion in Tucson, Arizona, on a facility that houses cancer tissue diagnostic operations. The company will invest $180 million and create 500 jobs at Ventana Medical Systems, a company Roche purchased in 2008.
Sanofi-aventis is another pharmaceutical company that is investing millions in Oro Valley. The drugmaker is building a $60 million research lab slated to open in June. The company now employs 60 chemists, biologists and other staff. The new facility has the capacity for 108 workers, but the company has no firm timeline on when those positions will be filled
These are the types of industries that Tucson wants to attract. One thing that attracts companies like this to the area is the ability to attract the talant necessary to fill the jobs. Granted, housing and water consumption by these employees is necessary, but much less environmental impact than an open pit mine.
Any comment on that, could there be truth to Dr. Powers economic study?
March 20th, 2011 on 6:24 pm
Rosemont executives ignore the concern with Highway 83. Actuall they lied about it to the public. See for yourself, visit hiltonroad.com, lots of proof!
March 20th, 2011 on 6:25 pm
Hugh, why is Rosemont Copper incorporated in Colorado and not Arizona?
March 20th, 2011 on 6:30 pm
Hugh, you are a postor child for Rosemont. Sometimes I agree with what you say most of the time I don’t. Why don’t you be fair and balanced and write about some of the concerns that are very valid concerning the Rosemont proposal? How can you ignore the cost to pima county and only concentrate on 495 possible jobs. The cost to our community is much greater than the benefit. Anybody who disagrees should google your name and read your articles. Is there anything negative you have to say about the Rosemont proposal?
March 20th, 2011 on 10:00 pm
Jim, do you have anything positive to say about Rosemont Copper? What about the good paying jobs Rosemont plans to bring to our community? How does opposing the Rosemont project benefit Tucson’s unemployed? Have you ever considered that opposition to the Rosemont project might actually be driving away potential employers, who may be considering opening new offices in Tucson?
March 21st, 2011 on 9:36 am
I think you summed it up David Briggs, old commentator from the AZ daily star and at one time consultant for Rosemont. The only positive would be 495 possible jobs, but again david, at what cos?
March 21st, 2011 on 9:39 am
And yes, I did say one good thing about them below, they did offer to invest money in a pipeline to move water further south in the Santa Cruz aquifir.
However if you add up the price they pay for the water it doesn’t even come close to our future water costs, especially if we eventually require desalienation plants and pipelines to the desert. The California Coastal commission says the cost of electricity just to desalienated one acre foot of water is approximately $1,000. Kind of puts our concerns into perspective.
March 21st, 2011 on 6:11 am
Several things.
First, the opposition to the project has lied on many occasions. Specifically the opposition is lying about the water issues in Green Valley. How can your side complain about Rosemont when one of your supporters pumps 5 times the water and is actively trying to block Rosemont’s attempt to recharge CAP water in Green Valley? Your side doesn’t want that truth shared with the public.
Second, the Power study is garbage. I’ve had economic studies done and the way he links the tourism impact to the mine is totally bogus. Is anyone not driving down I-19 to Tubac or Nogales because of the mines west of Green Valley? Allocating the entire tourism industry economic value to an impact on one site would never withstand an acaemic peer review.
Third, the role of government staff should be to give decision-makers both sides of an issue and let the elected officials decide. Pima’s supes are being sandbagged by their staff.
Fourth, the opposition has demonstrated a total intolerance to being disagreed with and acts in a facist manner attacking everyone that doesn’t follow your catechism….like threatening the Green Valley News and threatening the members of the Vail Chamber of Commerce. I feel a need to put on the table arguments that you all are trying to suppress so folks can make up their own minds about the issue.
The purpose of my blog is to spark debate. And you are having your opportunity here to state your side’s views. Ironic that you all will try and suppress or discredit anything that disagrees with your point of view. You talk about being “fair” when “fair” to your side is a one-sided conversation that only conforms to your points of view. That to me suggests there is a serious lack of merit in your arguments since you all cannot withstand a fair debate on the pros and cons. All you want anyone to hear are your arguments about the cons.
And by the way…a lot of corporations do business in Arizona that are not incorporated here…and raising an issue like that is a perfect example of how the opposition makes up crap to try and discredit the mine.
March 21st, 2011 on 9:30 am
It was a mere question Hugh, Why is Rosemont incorporated in Colorado when their deposit is in Arizona. All I asked was WHY?
Hugh, you are correct, a loud opponent to the mine does consume a large volume of water each year. They are right next to the CAP terminal on Pima Mine Road. It is my understanding that the pecan orchards use nearly 30,000 acre feet of groundwater each year. of course 25% of that groundwater recharges back into the aquifir. It is my understanding that the pecan orchard owners tried to begin using CAP water many years ago, but due to some restriction were not allowed to. Their orchards can be used as a recharge facility using CAP water and at the same time water the orchard and not pump the groundwater, they are working on this again.
Rosemont’s proposal came at a cost. Community Water of GV currently does not need their allocation of cap, therefore they have not invested in pipelines and recharge facilities near their wells. Rosemont said they would pay for a pipeline/recharge facility (or at a least a portion). This is a good and decent move by them and I will give them credit for this. It would allow more water to be recharged near their wells. But community water had to sell Rosemont their CAP water allocation (3,000 acre feet) for 20 years.
What has since occurred in my eyes is a good group of people are now looking at water issues in the region and the fact that we cannot continue to withdraw water from an overbudoned aquifir. Rosemont taking an additional 6,000 acre feet or more each year will only contribute to an already unsustainable water use (If memory serves me right 45,000 acre feet is overdrawn each year).
On a side note, Freeport Mcmorran(use is nearly 30,000 acre feet a year I beleive) is supposed to begin using CAP water, at the meeting I attended concerning all of this I beleive it was brought up that they are not moving on that as quickly as desired.
I cannot speak for all of the opposition, only my comments, and I challange you to find one iota of false information on the website
http://www.hiltonroad.com. I will gladly apologize and correct any false information.
Concerning getting both sides of the story, the public does not have the deep pockets a corporation has. They have spent some 14 million dollars promoting this mine. We get no air time, cannot afford to sponsor programs on television, we just don’t have the deep pockets they have. I personally thank people like Ray Carrol, Chuck Huckleberry, Gabrielle Giffords, Raul Grijalva, for standing up and doing what is right for the people of pima county!
Hugh, what about highway 83, want your kids on it with their traffic. Still ignoring this subject.
Hugh, I will debate you any day of the week, name the time and place.
March 21st, 2011 on 9:02 am
Hugh, it’s ludicrous for you to compare scenic Highway 83—a two lane winding road—to I 10—a four lane straight federal highway—when stating that the Green Valley mines have not deterred anyone from traveling to Tubac. Or perhaps you’ve never been east of the Santa Ritas? Why don’t you travel on 83 with its current level of traffic and then imagine the addition of ore trucks and all other mine traffic and see how you like it. Or, experience the video of travel on 83 available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ItaNcuUonM&feature=player_embedded Our concerns for the safety of our children and others travelling 83 are real.
March 21st, 2011 on 11:11 am
Hugh, as the Sahuarita well owner’s attorney, you clearly have a vested interest in the Rosemont Mine becoming operational. Thus, the one sided articles you write lack credibility. You display total disregard for the very valid concerns of those of us living on the east side of the Santa Ritas as though we are irrelevant. If Rosemont Mine would not be seen in Green Valley, that’s all that matters to you. Well, if you were well informed on the issue, you would know that Augusta Resources has admitted to their investors that they are interested in exploring other deposits, near the Rosemont deposit, namely Peach- Elgin, Broadtop Butte, and Copper World. According to the late Fred Tahse, retired mineral exploration geologist, “the Peach -Elgin deposit, if mined, would be an open pit facing the Santa Cruz Valley, Broadtop Butte, if mined would remove part of the ridge, Copper World would leave huge scars and all of them would bring unsustainable truck traffic and dust to the west side of the Santa Ritas.” What would you say to the Green Valley residents then? Does it really matter to you what residents on EITHER side of the Santa Ritas think about this issue?
I’m thankful for Chuck Huckelberry and other County Supervisors who are working for the best interests of Pima County to prevent another mine in this area to further pollute the air and destroy a beautiful area of the Santa Ritas which is enjoyed by many county taxpayers on a regular basis and is a beautiful vista for all who travel on Scenic Highway 83. County leaders are supportive of the right businesses locating in Pima County , those that would enhance the quality of life here, not destroy it !
March 21st, 2011 on 11:28 am
Hugh,
Your opinion of Rosemont seems to blow in the wind depending on where the money comesfrom. Aren’t you the same person who was speaking out against Rosemont in 2008 with the ADWR rep in Sahuarita. Here is a youtube link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57DWzWYAoUs
The opposition is solid against Rosemont for the most part but now you seem to have shifted.
March 21st, 2011 on 11:30 am
For some videos concerning the proposed open pit mine go to azroberth at youtube.
Also go to hiltonroad.com for other information .
March 21st, 2011 on 11:58 am
What gets me mad is how Rosemont is buying their way into the community. i.e Sponsoring Az Illustrated TV show. Do they think we are that stupid that we dont notice.
March 21st, 2011 on 12:21 pm
Let’s make it look like the tailings in Green Valley, that enough is reason to be against it. Hugh, you let me down and I guess you don’t need my money supporting this blog with the pay off you got from Rosemont. Lets destroy whatever we have for some jobs, that’s great. Nice looking view of the tailings and the empty Santa Cruz river going down I-19.
And I love it when the Rosemont people post comments like a used car salesman, “Trust Me” I work for Rosemont Mines. How do they sleep at night?
March 27th, 2011 on 3:57 pm
Hugh, mining equals a short term gain for a few at the expense of everyone else forever. When are you going to get it? Our economy can not be sustained by a growing consumption of a finite amount of natural resources. Sooner or later those who come after us will have to live with far less than we would now find acceptable if we continue to” kick the can of responsible long term planning” down the road. But who cares, we will be long gone by then, right?