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Residents warn Sahuarita council about truck, dust and safety risks from proposed Copper World mine
Summary
Several residents used the meeting’s public comment period to urge the council to press for traffic and health information related to Hudbay’s proposed Copper World project, citing projected heavy truck traffic, dust, air pollution and potential nuisance claims.
During the Town of Sahuarita council’s public comment period, several residents urged the council to seek and publicize truck-traffic projections and health and safety data they say are necessary to assess risks tied to Hudbay’s proposed Copper World mining project.
Dr. Nina Luxenberg, who identified herself as a local physician and Sahuarita resident, told the council she is "very concerned about the heavy truck traffic" projected for the Copper World mine and said truck traffic would ‘‘drastically increase’’ dust levels and could violate clean air standards. Luxenberg said she relied on a 2013 environmental report by a previous Rosemont owner to cite projected traffic levels: "The projected volume of 40,001 one-way truck trips per year, or 110 one-way truck trips a day...was extrapolated from a 2013 environmental report," she said, adding that Hudbay has not provided updated traffic estimates.
Luxenberg listed specific community concerns: trucks operating on Santa Rita Road and Sahuarita Road shared with school buses, bicyclists and pedestrians; trucks carrying copper concentrate, diesel and other hazardous materials; night operations with continuous headlight glare; and the future possible hauling of sulfuric acid if Hudbay modifies its processing. "The public needs and has a right to know the safety and health impact of excessive heavy truck traffic," Luxenberg said, and she raised nuisance law implications: "I bring to your attention the common law tort of nuisance, which protects the citizens' rights for the use and enjoyment of their property...heavy truck traffic will be interfering with our rights."
Steve Brown, a longtime local resident and volunteer, also urged council members to investigate Hudbay’s track record and the company’s plans. He said mining has long been part of the region’s history but warned against allowing a project that could leave long-term harm: "I don't want Sahuarita to be a sacrifice zone or a future Superfund site," Brown said.
Town staff did not report any specific formal action in response to those comments during this meeting. Council members acknowledged the public comments; town staff and speakers said state and county regulators also have roles in reviewing mineral development and related environmental permitting.
What commenters asked the council to do: residents asked the town to press for disclosure or independent study of projected truck volumes, projected air and noise pollution, accident projections and the handling and transport plans for hazardous materials. The transcript records residents’ concerns and technical claims but does not show the council adopting any motion, referral, or study directive during the meeting.
Because Hudbay’s proposed Copper World is on privately owned land, commenters said the company has not been required to provide public traffic estimates; Luxenberg said Hudbay told a Tucson newspaper it was "too soon to provide precise traffic estimates." Residents asked the council to pursue or at least request more detailed information from Hudbay and from state and county regulators.
No formal town action was recorded on the issue in this meeting’s minutes; a future council meeting or staff report would be required to show any official follow-up.
