A survey has found a majority of Tucson-area residents say they generally support plans to develop the Rosemont Copper Mine in the Santa Rita Mountains, so long as they are assured the mining company, Augusta Resource Corp., sticks to the plan it has submitted.
 Source: Marketing Intelligence |
The survey was commissioned by the mining company and was conducted by Marketing Intelligence.
"The company has been working hard to educate the community about our plan of operations, and based on feedback we’ve learned that people seemed to become more supportive of the project once they knew the details," said Jamie Sturgess, vice president for projects and environment of Rosemont Copper. "We wanted to do some formal research to measure the level of support based on understanding and belief that the mine would be operated in accordance with the plan."
The survey has an error factor of ±5 percentage points.
Most important in respondents’ opinions are returning the land to productive use post-mining, protecting the water supply, and utilizing modern, environmentally friendly techniques.
The survey also indicated people would like to see more information about the plans for the mine and learn more about how they can be sure plans are followed accordingly.
Rosemont Copper has submitted its formal plan of operations with the U.S. Forest Service, which would set a public review process under the National Environmental Policy Act. Public officials, led by Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll, are fighting development of the mine. U.S. Reps. Raúl Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords, have introduced legislation that could remove adjacent public lands from mining activity.
Comments
Lorraine Young wrote on Aug 2, 2009 1:44 PM:
When I was called on this survey I knew it was being conducted by the mine and the questions in the survey vague and could be easily misinterpreted. I wrote a letter to the newspaper telling of my experience and it was published. And, the reason I wrote was because the question was: "Are you in favor of using our natural resources to benefit the economy and create jobs? Well, who wouldn't like that. But, the big question is: AT WHAT COST??... in terms of the environment, the water, the tailings being deposited on forest land, the horrible truck traffic to be created on hgwy 83, the damage to the beautiful mountain itself, as well as the effects on the wildlife that thrives there where they can eat and reproduce in a natural environment. And, finally, last but not least how about the effects on our tourism --- who wants to go look at a mine. And, I guess what bothers me most is the sneaky, loaded question survey they conducted. I knew immediately that Rosemont was the sponsor. And, people fell for their tricky survey and hence this is the result. I will never believe that this survey in any way represents our area. Those people were fooled by the very first loaded question and then quietly taken "down the pea patch." "
Cheryl Rennie wrote on May 13, 2008 12:04 PM:
Furthermore,in the past 20 years, at least 15 "state of the art" mines have gone bankrupt leaving taxpayers with massive environmental destruction and potential cleanup liability exceeding $12 Billion.
The bonding section of Rosemont's operating plan underestimates costs with no adjustment for inflation. Mitigation of any kind is not addressed and hazardous materials are innocuously called "products" until they are placed in operation. We can all rest assured that a spill of sulphuric acid will not be hazardous as long as it has not been placed in "operation".
Although Rosemont has been working hard to "educate" the community, it is apparent that as people learn more about it, they will be justifiably be opposed.
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mark wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:23 AM:
booby wrote on Jan 28, 2008 9:54 AM: