Sacred Indigenous Land in Arizona Transferred to Mining Company Amid Protests

A controversial land swap in Arizona has allowed a mining company to take control of a sacred Indigenous site. The deal, approved over a decade ago, transferred 2,422 acres of Tonto National Forest—including 740 acres of the Oak Flat Historic District—to Resolution Copper. The company now plans to develop one of the largest underground copper mines in North America on the land.

The land exchange was pushed through as part of a 2014 National Defense Authorization Act. The late Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) attached the provision as a rider, ensuring its passage. Later that year, President Barack Obama signed the bill into law, finalising the transfer.

Since then, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community has led opposition to the project. They have issued public statements, organised protests, and backed the Apache Stronghold movement, arguing that the mine threatens sacred sites and cultural heritage. The tribe has also taken legal action, joining lawsuits such as *Apache Stronghold v. U.S.*, which was first filed in 2020 and remains under appeal as of 2026. Beyond court battles, the community has pushed for legislative solutions. They supported the Save Oak Flat Act, a bill reintroduced multiple times to block the land transfer. Representatives have also testified before Congress and participated in federal consultations, repeatedly voicing concerns over the mine's impact on their ancestral lands.

The Forest Service officially handed over the land to Resolution Copper, clearing the way for mining operations. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community continues to challenge the decision through legal and political channels. Their efforts highlight ongoing disputes over resource extraction and the protection of Indigenous sacred sites.