Rosemont takes case to GVCCC

Rosemont Mine officials took their road show to the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council on Thursday, just months after Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, which opposes the mine, spoke to the same group.

The GVCCC has come out against the copper mine on the eastern slope of the Santa Rita Mountains, as have several groups and officials in Pima County. That includes District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll, who made it clear where he stands when he spoke just before Rosemont CEO Rod Pace began his presentation.

“I want to say that just because I’m standing in front of this projection that says ‘Rosemont Copper,’ I’m still against the mine,” Carroll said with a smile, the mining company’s name projected on a screen behind him.

“There are enough mines in Southern Arizona,” he said, more seriously. “I’m certain we don’t need a new one (near) the communities of Green Valley and Sahuarita.”

Kathy Arnold, director of environmental and regulatory affairs for Rosemont, and mine manager Fermin Samorano were also on hand to answer questions.

The main topic of concern for council members, most of whom represent Green Valley HOAs, was water.

“I think there are two major issues here,” said Chuck Lamb, who represents Canoa Seca Estates II HOA. “The mine has one: an economic issue. We here in Green Valley have one: a water concern. I don’t know that our feelings can coordinate with one another until that concern over water is truly addressed.”

Lamb brought up a pertinent announcement made earlier in the meeting: development may begin on up to 1,200 new homes south of Canoa Ranch in the near future. A Planning and Zoning Committee meeting will be held Oct. 1 to address preliminary plans for the development. Lamb said the additional homes could lower an already-sinking water table, and the mine would drop it further.

But Pace said Rosemont would stand by its promise to resupply the aquifer with the amount of water it takes out, with piped-in water from the Central Arizona Project. He also said Rosemont was environmentally conscious in other areas: buildings on mine grounds would be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified and low-emission trucks and equipment would be used.

Addressing concerns over tourism, Pace said the mine would not be visible from Green Valley and that fewer than five acres would be visible from scenic State Route 83, which runs through Sonoita. A landscape architect would also design and contour the top of the mine to match existing topography, he said.

But the topic never strayed far from water sustainability, with Dr. Tom Purdon waving a recent National Geographic magazine that addressed water issues in the region.

“I think that until we can be assured that the water is not a concern — and that’s hard to believe — this issue (of the mine) will be difficult to answer,” said Lamb.

GVCCC president Stan Riddle said the council would consider setting up a forum in the future allowing Rosemont Copper and Save the Scenic Santa Ritas to debate before the public.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726