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Residents urge town action as Copper World mine advances; speakers cite groundwater and air concerns
Summary
During Call to the Public at a Sahuarita Town Council meeting, several residents raised health and water-supply concerns about the proposed Copper World project and said they have appealed the air-quality permit. The mayor cautioned that the town cannot verify some claims made during public comment.
Dozens of minutes of public comment at the Sahuarita Town Council meeting focused on the proposed Copper World mining project and local environmental and public‑health concerns.
Several residents told the council they fear that the mine, as described in public filings, would deplete local groundwater and contaminate soil and drinking water. Nina Luxenberg of Sahuarita Highlands told the council that “Copper World is slated to use an average of 13,630 acre‑feet of ground water per year,” a figure she converted in her remarks to gallons and to per‑person usage and said would affect nearby neighborhoods including Sahuarita, Corona de Tucson and Quail Creek. Luxenberg also alleged risks from mine tailings and heavy metals, citing the Environmental Working Group and other material in her remarks.
Anna Darien, representing Save the Scenic Sahuarita, said her group has appealed the project’s air‑quality permit and described the permit as insufficiently protective, saying expert analysis supports a more stringent review and additional monitoring. “This permit is significantly insufficient in protecting your community,” Darien told the council and said the group will seek advocacy from state officials if the town will support it. Martin Lynn, who identified himself as a Tucson resident, described international mining practices and urged the council to prevent similar impacts here.
Why it matters: speakers said the timing and scope of permits and monitoring will affect groundwater quantity and quality for neighborhoods near the proposed mine and could carry long‑term public‑health consequences if contaminants reach local aquifers.
Council response and next steps: Mayor Tom Murphy admonished speakers about unverified allegations, saying the town “has no idea of whether her statements are factually true or accurate about alleged crimes,” and that the town disavows unverified claims. Members of the public announced a town hall scheduled for April 12 at 10 a.m. at the library and urged broader community attendance; Darien asked that the council press state agencies for stronger oversight and said the appeal of the air permit is pending.
No formal council action on the mine was taken at the meeting; public commenters were reminded to file speaker cards with the town clerk for the record.
Ending: Speakers said they will continue outreach and legal steps including the air‑permit appeal and additional community meetings. The council did not announce any immediate staff assignment or formal motion related to the mine during the meeting.
