Court Blocks Arizona Land Transfer for Copper Mine | JQJO

A US appeals court temporarily halted the transfer of Arizona federal land slated for copper mining by international companies Rio Tinto and BHP. The injunction, granted in response to appeals by a Native American tribe and environmentalists, concerns the Oak Flat area, sacred to the San Carlos Apache people. Opponents argue insufficient environmental review and land appraisal, while the companies cite a Congressional mandate and extensive review. The court will hear arguments later this year.