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DRIVERS Administrative & Professional JEWISH FEDERATION ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Education Yavapao College Nursing Instructor Restaurants and Clubs Frog & Firkin Server General Copperstate OB/GYN Operator Computer Flowing Wells Schools Computer Technician Health Care CD Therapist CD Therapist Tucson RegionWater issues could doom new miningTucson, Arizona | Published: 07.27.2007
At one time copper mining was king around here. It was one of the four "C's" that dominated the state's economy and politics — copper, cattle, cotton and citrus.
These days climate, the fifth C, challenges the other four as the state's leading generator of jobs and economic development. Copper and cattle have waned as economic drivers and cotton fields and citrus orchards have been replaced with subdivisions.
The five C's sing the state's economic tune. However, the quintet is dependent on one thing — water.
Lots of it is needed to keep the mines and cattle running and the cotton and citrus growing. It also quenches the thirst of rising numbers of newcomers and visitors drawn to Arizona's climate, prompting us to build more homes, hotels and golf courses.
Arizona mining is on the brink of a major comeback. The rising price and demand for copper has attracted plans for new operations.
U.S. Republican Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl have introduced legislation to allow mining near Superior. The mining company would receive about 3,000 acres of federal land in exchange for about 4,500 acres of environmentally sensitive land in the state.
Closer to home, a mining company wants to create an open-pit mine on the eastern side of the Santa Rita Mountains, much of it on public and scenic land. The same mining company has proposed — independent of the mining project — to build a seven-mile pipeline to bring Central Arizona Water to the Green Valley-Sahuarita area.
We've returned to an often played out debate over mining and water.
There's tremendous support for mining in the state. The argument has never changed. Mines create jobs, invigorate local economies, and create wealth and self-sufficiency.
But there's the other side.
Water is too precious to throw into a mine. Cities and agriculture need the water. Mines pollute and damage the environment long after they shut down.
If we can't find a balance between the renewed interest in copper and maintaining enough quality water for the rest of the state's interests, maybe it's time to say goodbye to future mining.
Opinion by
Ernesto
Portillo jr.
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