Arizonans’ voices are being heard about the destruction caused by mining.
Photo from community meeting in Sahuarita regarding Hudbay’s planned copper mine.
On April 22, 8-11 a.m., Arizona communities impacted by mining joined together in a civil protest against the manipulation of public opinion by mining corporations and University departments that support the mining industry. The Arizona Mining Reform Coalition (AMRC) has called the University of Arizona to task for hosting its April 22-24 Mining Social License Summit on Earth Day and for excluding community and Tribal voices. (See the coalition press release, along with KGUN-9 coverage.)
Key speakers at the event included Faraday/Redhawk and one of their major financial backers, the Lundin Group. The peaceful outdoor protest was supported by partners Patagonia Area Resource Alliance, Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Center for Biological Diversity, LSPWA, and Concerned Citizens and Retired Miners Coalition.
The University’s Summit focused on building public buy-in for mining, while cutting out those who bear the greatest social and environmental costs from the boom-and-bust cycles of mining—namely, affected communities and Tribal nations, as well as conservation groups working to protect and preserve Arizona’s water resources, its ecological integrity, and the rich cultural heritage of indigenous people.
Concerned citizens from our communities joined a civil demonstration organized by AMRC, Tuesday, April 22 from 8-11 a.m., outside the Tucson Marriott University Park (where the Summit was held). Other Arizona communities impacted by mining from Patagonia, Superior, and Tucson were present. Participants were asked to be respectful of others, including summit attendees and members of law enforcement.
What is social license? In the mining industry, a "social license to operate" (SLO) refers to the level of acceptance and approval a mining operation receives from local communities and stakeholders. It's essentially an informal social contract where a mining company gains trust and legitimacy in the eyes of the community, allowing it to continue operations without significant opposition.
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