Land swap deal approved for huge Arizona copper mine

Washington lawmakers yesterday approved a bill to approve a land exchange clearing the way for what would be North America’s largest copper mine.

The Washington Post reported that under the agreement, Resolution Copper Mining, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto (LON:RIO), would gain access to 2,400 acres of federal forest land to develop the mine, located near Superior, Arizona. In exchange, about 5,300 acres of private lands controlled by Resolution Copper would fall into federal hands.

While House Republicans, business groups and the National Mining Association were all pushing for the bill’s approval. The Obama Administration was against approving the land swap until an environmental review was completed.

In the end the Republican-controlled House prevailed, passing the legislation 235 votes to 186.

 

 

 

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