Gila River tribe opposing Florence copper mine

The Gila River Indian Community has come out against the $500 million Florence Copper Project proposed by a Canadian company in Pinal County. The Gila River tribe has written Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, State Land Commissioner Maria Baier and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlining concerns it has with Curis Resources’ Florence copper project and its potential impact on groundwater in the area. GRIC Gov. Gregory Mendoza says in the May 3 letter the tribe has “deep concerns” about the copper mining project’s impact on the Gila River and its watershed. The Gila reservation is located in southern Maricopa and northern Pinal counties. The tribe has water rights agreements with Arizona that could give it legal standing in the FCP’s approval. Curis general manager and vice president Dan Johnson said the Canadian company is ready to work with the tribe and others with concerns about the project.

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