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Battle over sacred Native land in Arizona pits jobs and finances against heritage and faith

  • Oak Flat, a sacred site in Arizona, is under threat from plans to build a copper mine on the land.
  • Resolution Copper Mining, a joint subsidiary of Rio Tinto and BHP, hopes to build one of the world's largest underground copper mines at Oak Flat.
  • The project is facing opposition from Native American groups who consider the land sacred.
  • The legal battle over Oak Flat has involved legislative actions, historic place designations, lawsuits, and appeals.
  • The mine could create jobs and boost tax revenues for the town of Superior, but there are concerns about the environmental impact and preservation of cultural heritage.
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