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Rock Climbers Worry About Losing Oak Flat To Resolution Mine

Published: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 4:20pm
Updated: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - 11:48am
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The Resolution Copper Mine is currently undergoing a federal environmental review. In addition to the concerns about the project expressed by some Native American tribes and environmentalists is the loss of rock climbing areas.

Curt Shannon is a policy analyst for the Access Fund, the non-profit works to protect threatened rock climbing areas, including Oak Flat near the proposed mine. He said the mine's completion would be detrimental.

“It would be the largest loss of a climbing resource in the United States," Shannon said.
 
Officials with Resolution Copper say climbing in the area will not go away. Vicky Peacey is the senior manager of permitting and approvals for the Resolution Copper Project. She said Resolution has identified additional bouldering sites and some climbing routes won't be impacted by the mining.

She said the environmental review will allow climbers and other concerned parties to weigh in.

“Everybody gets a chance to have their voice heard," Peacey said.

Read more about this issue in the June edition of Arizona Highways Magazine.

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