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Residents urge Sahuarita council to act on concerns about Hudbay's Copper World project
Summary
Dozens of residents told the Town of Sahuarita on May 26 that Hudbay Minerals'proposed Copper World mine threatens local water, air and quality of life; speakers pressed for independent hydrological studies, monthly monitoring and a public hearing before pipeline or other permits proceed.
Dozens of residents urged the Town of Sahuarita to halt or more closely scrutinize Hudbay Minerals'proposed Copper World open-pit mine, saying the project could harm groundwater, air quality and property values.
At the council's May 26 public-comment period, speakers including Diane Tipton, David Babson and others described longstanding concerns about large-scale mining near the Santa Rita Mountains. Many said Hudbay has not answered basic questions about how it will monitor dust and toxic emissions, where recharged water would be deposited, or how truck traffic would be routed. "What happens if our groundwater becomes compromised? What happens if air quality declines because of dust, heavy truck traffic and mining operations?" Tipton asked.
Several speakers cited technical and historical examples to underline risks. One resident referenced the Berkeley Pit near Butte, Montana, to illustrate long-term water contamination risks from large open-pit mines. Other commenters alleged Hudbay has already pumped millions of gallons from local wells and questioned whether the company has complied with a 2013 right-of-way encroachment license that requires recharge within a defined area.
Organized opposition appeared in part: Paige Humphrey, outreach coordinator for Save the Scenic Santa Rita, delivered a petition with 133 eligible town voter signatures requesting a public hearing to determine whether Hudbay can demonstrably recharge 105% of groundwater it withdraws using Central Arizona Project water; her group asked the council not to allow Hudbay to install a pipeline along Santa Rita Road if the company cannot meet that condition.
Speakers asked the council to require independent, accredited hydrological study and unaffiliated monthly monitoring for air, water and traffic should any approvals proceed. "Without an independent accredited hydrological study, accurate assessment to evaluate Hudbay's planned water activity and permission is impossible," one resident said.
Council members did not take immediate action on the substance of the Hudbay comments during the meeting; several members acknowledged limits to the town's authority but did not rule out further scrutiny. Multiple speakers said they would provide written materials to the council and requested formal responses. The town manager and staff offered to follow up on procedural questions and to collect submitted materials from residents.
The public comment record at the May 26 meeting will be part of the town's permanent minutes; the council indicated other agenda items that night were procedural (budget adoptions and project updates) and did not produce a new formal town position on Copper World during this session.
