U.S. District Judge Steven Logan has temporarily blocked the transfer of federal land in Arizona to mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP, according to Benzinga. The decision halts the Resolution Copper project pending U.S. Supreme Court review. Native American groups, including Apache Stronghold, argue the mine would irreparably harm Oak Flat, a sacred site to the San Carlos Apache. Logan agreed, writing that the "balance of equities tips sharply" in their favor. The decision delays a $2.7 billion project that could supply over 25% of future U.S. copper demand but would leave a massive crater in the landscape. Congress approved the land swap for the Resolution Copper project and President Obama in 2014, then fast-tracked by Trump during his first term. Biden later paused the transfer for court review, but Trump recently reignited the process.
