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.