Resolution
Copper, a foreign-owned mining company, has acquired the
nearby Magma Mine and is trying to take ownership of these public
lands via a congressionally legislated land swap. Friends
of Queen Creek thinks it's in the American public's
best interest to keep these public lands in public hands.
We are not opposed to mining. However, we are opposed to
any congressionally-legislated land swap that would give
Resolution Copper control over Oak Flat campground. We are
also concerned about Resolution Copper's proposed block caving mining process. We think there is a
win-win solution possible, in which Resolution Copper could
find a way to use both new and old technology to develop their
mine from their existing site and preserve public access, just as the previous
operators of the Magma Mine did for 80 years before Resolution Copper.
You can view a copy of our position paper here.
Notice
As per the May 2006 license agreement with
Resolution Copper, climbers will need to start signing a
release form to climb at the Pond and Atlantis in Queen Creek
Canyon. The kiosks with these forms will be located at these
two climbing areas. Also, in accordance with the license
agreement, Resolution Copper is paying $23,000 per year for an
insurance policy. Local climbers will need to chip in
another $2,000 per year towards this policy. The Access
Fund covered this expense in 2006. Friends of Queen
Creek will be raising funds to cover this expense going
forward.
