Mining concerns put Arizona community’s water future at risk
A proposed mining project in the Patagonia Mountains has sparked local fears over water depletion and pollution as developers plan to pump millions of gallons of groundwater daily to extract critical minerals for renewable energy technology.
Esther Frances, Megija Medne and Phillip Powell report for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- South32’s Hermosa project aims to mine zinc and manganese, vital for renewable energy, but locals worry about the mine's plan to discharge 6.5 million gallons of treated water daily into local waterways.
- Conservation groups, including Friends of Sonoita Creek, are gathering data to monitor potential impacts and contest permits they believe could harm the region's biodiversity.
- Residents fear long-term drought and legacy mining contamination could worsen due to mining operations, impacting both wildlife and the community's drinking water.
Key quote:
“It is the availability of that water that is a large reason for the biodiversity hotspot that this is, because the plants and the animals that are here have the water that they need to be here."
— Carolyn Shafer, Patagonia Area Resource Alliance
Why this matters:
The Hermosa mine is positioned as a key player in the U.S. energy transition, yet it raises serious concerns about groundwater depletion and pollution. Protecting this fragile ecosystem is critical for the residents of Patagonia, who depend entirely on the aquifer for their water.
