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Residents press Sahuarita council for transparency as Hudbay Minerals’ Copper World project looms
Summary
Multiple residents told the Sahuarita Town Council the proposed Hudbay Minerals "Copper World" open‑pit mine threatens local health, property values and water supplies and accused town staff of failing to disclose a co‑located Tucson Electric Power substation; council asked TEP to return for clarification at the June 22 meeting.
Dozens of residents urged the Sahuarita Town Council to demand clearer public disclosure and stronger scrutiny of the proposed Hudbay Minerals "Copper World" open‑pit copper mine, warning the project could lower property values, stress water supplies and drive higher utilities rates.
"If we had been aware of the proposed mine, we would not have moved to Quail Creek," said John Turman, a Quail Creek resident, who cited a study he said shows 10 to 30 percent depreciation for properties near new open‑pit copper mines and said the loss of scenic views, air and water quality would jeopardize his retirement plans.
Speakers raised a string of specific concerns: the quantity of water Hudbay says it will use versus the capacity of Project Renews; whether Hudbay’s planned water replenishment can be enforced; how ratepayers could shoulder infrastructure or delivery costs; and the recent discovery in TEP filings that the Santa Rita (Sahuarita) substation and Hudbay switchyard appear to be co‑located. "We didn't know this until I found an email buried in more than a thousand pages of documents," said John Dohy of Save the Scenic Sahuaritas, asking the council what staff knew and when.
Paige Humphrey, outreach coordinator for Save the Scenic Sahuaritas, asked the town to prepare a public timeline showing when staff learned of the TEP–Hudbay joint substation plan and to make that information available before the council’s June 22 meeting. Judy Middleton and other residents warned of 24/7 heavy‑truck traffic, dust and health risks for older adults with respiratory conditions.
Council members responded by asking Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to return to the June 22 meeting to explain the substation connection and any financial or operational ties with Hudbay. Council member Rose Kim said she felt misled by TEP’s earlier presentation and wanted the company to clarify its relationship with Hudbay.
The council did not take formal action on the mine during the meeting. Instead, it closed public comment and scheduled further information and discussion: TEP has been invited back to clarify its proposal and any town staff involvement or prior knowledge of a co‑located substation. The public comments also referenced Puma County’s recent formal opposition and requested the town align with county concerns.
The town manager and council committed to follow up with staff and TEP and to share what the town knew about the timeline of communications as soon as possible.
Next steps: TEP has been asked to return to the June 22 council meeting to answer questions about the substation and any cost impacts on residential ratepayers.
