How many times have you read a news article about something that has been repeated over and over again as fact only to find out latter it was false?
The Arizona Daily Star, a long-time opponent of Rosemont Copper published an article titled “Another Big Deposit of Copper Suspected Just Outside Planned Rosemont Mine” on June 9, 2017. This article is essentially identical to a previous article published by the Arizona Daily Star on June 3, 2017 titled, “Another Huge Deposit of Copper Resources Lies just Outside Planned Rosemont Pit“. Authored by the Arizona Daily Star’s environmental reporter, Tony Davis, both articles repeat unsubstantiated allegations made by Save the Scenic Santa Ritas that Hudbay Minerals plans to expand mining operations into other areas once it obtains the permits for the proposed Rosemont pit along the eastern flank of the Santa Rita Mountains. The Arizona Daily Star’s choice of titles for these articles was designed to reinforce this misperception.
Those familiar with the geology and exploration history of the Helvetia-Rosemont mining district, know assured development of areas outside of the perimeter of the proposed pit is not certain. Dismembered by extensive post-mineral faulting, the Helvetia-Rosemont porphyry copper system is probably one of the most structurally complex mining districts in North America. Other deposits in this district may never have sufficient volume or continuity of mineralization to support mine development and metal recovery. Although Hudbay Minerals’ March 2017 feasibility study characterizes the Rosemont portion of the system well, the lack of similar data and analysis make it impossible to predict whether future mining activities will extend beyond the perimeter of the proposed open pit.
Unless Rosemont opponents have a crystal ball that allows them to accurately predict the future, their unsubstantiated allegations are nothing more than wild speculation designed to sway public opinion against the project. Good journalism is based on facts, not speculation. It is irresponsible for the Arizona Daily Star to mislead southern Arizonans by repeatedly giving credence to knowingly false statements. The validity of these allegations is not going to change, no matter how many times they are repeated.
Disclaimer: David F. Briggs is a resident of Pima County and a retired geologist, who intermittently worked on the Rosemont project between 2006 and 2014. The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Rosemont Copper.
Copyright © (2017) by David F. Briggs. Reprint is permitted only if the credit of authorship is provided and linked back to the source.