(The Center Square) – State Rep. Walter Blackman, R-Apache Junction, sent a letter to the federal government last week backing a project that could create tens of thousands of jobs in Arizona.
Blackman’s letter expressed his support for the Resolution Copper project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement, which is trying to build an underground copper mine in Superior.
The U.S. Forest Service finished the impact statement in June. The U.S. Department of Agriculture described the statement’s documents as helping advance President Donald Trump’s goal of domestic mineral production.
“The Resolution Copper Project is a prime example of how we can harness America’s abundant resources to fuel growth in rural America, reduce our dependence on foreign imports, strengthen our supply chains, and enhance our national security,” Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said.
Blackman called the Resolution Copper project a “rare opportunity to strengthen Arizona’s economy.” He added that this project will create “high-wage jobs, critical infrastructure investments and lasting economic support for local businesses.”
According to Blackman’s letter, thousands of construction jobs will be created for this project.
Furthermore, this project will create many mining jobs. The letter states Arizona’s average salary for miners is around $100,000. Blackman described these mining jobs as ones that “can transform people’s lives.”
The Resolution Cooper project is also expected to add tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue for state and local governments, the letter states. This tax revenue would go towards investing in public roads and essential services.
The Final Environmental Impact Statement has taken over 10 years to complete in compliance with the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act. The projected mining site needed to undergo a change in ownership from the federal government to the project operators, Rio Tinto and BHP Group. The land transfer will not take place until Aug. 19, according to a government press release.
During this time span, the project underwent environmental review with input from tribal governments, local communities and other various stakeholders, Blackman said.
“Resolution Copper has made a genuine effort to work with the community and earn local support— truly being a good neighbor,” Blackman stated. “This project is ready to move forward, and it’s time it does. I urge the Forest Service to act without further delay.”
