Accompanying this article was a poll that asked the following question: “Do you side with the mining company or the environmentalists on the Rosemont issue?” The majority of those surveyed supported Rosemont Copper’s efforts to the develop its 21st century mining project. While the results of this poll are not scientific, it shows this project has wide support in our community. It also demonstrates that those favoring the Rosemont project are just as capable of rallying support as those opposing it.
Mining’s supporters understand everyone’s desire to preserve our environment and the natural beauty of Arizona’s wide open spaces. It’s only natural to oppose things that will impact our community. However, halting responsible development of new mining projects in southeastern Arizona will not reduce the impacts that mining has on the environment. The only thing it does accomplish is unfairly shift the burden of those impacts on others and deny Arizonans the economic benefits that accompany large projects, such as Rosemont.
Mineral products have been used throughout the course of human history. Modern society is more dependent on the products produced by the mining industry than it has ever been at anytime during recorded history.
Whether it’s our homes where we live, public utilities that supply us power and water or jobs that enable us to provide for our families, everyone uses products derived from mining. Even the food we consume requires minerals that farmers use to fertilize their fields. Products derived from mining are all around us. They are an integral part of our existence.
Furthermore, all human activity has an impact on our environment. Mining is not unique in this respect. By its very nature, mining activities create substantial impacts, which cannot be completely eliminated. However, there are ways to minimize its impacts through the use of sound engineering, environmental and reclamation pactices.
As long as we remain dependent on the products derived from mining, wouldn’t it be more responsible for those opposing the Rosemont Copper project to work with the mining industry to find better ways to reduce the impacts it will have on our community?
David F. Briggs is a resident of Pima County and a geologist, who has intermittently worked as a consultant on the Rosemont Copper project since 2006. The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Rosemont Copper.
Copyright (2015) by David F. Briggs. Reprint is permitted only if the credit of authorship is provided and linked back to the source.