Arizona News
Hundreds turn out to hear Ariz. copper mine plan
Posted: Dec 6, 2012 10:23 AM
FLORENCE, Ariz. (AP) - Hundreds of people turned out at a hearing this week to hear about a Canadian company's proposal to open an underground copper mine within the Florence town limits.
Curis Resources wants to develop an in-situ leach mining operation that involves injecting chemicals into the ground to release the copper, then pumping the solution to the surface for processing.
The Arizona Republic (http://bit.ly/11K9foM ) reports that the project was voted down by the Florence Town Council. But Florence has no jurisdiction over state trust land within its limits.
The more than 50 speakers at a Wednesday hearing equally were split between critics who believe the mine would pollute their groundwater and supporters who are touting the jobs it would bring.
Curis has been gathering data under a temporary permit issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
___
Comments