Federal Government Approves Copper Mine at Sacred Apache Site in Arizona

The U.S. government is pressing ahead with plans to develop a massive copper mine at Oak Flat, a site sacred to Apache tribes in Arizona.

Officials claim the project is critical to meeting growing domestic demand for copper, a key material in electronics, renewable energy, and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Indigenous groups are vowing to continue their decades-long fight to protect what they call the “spiritual lifeblood” of their people.

For the Apaches, Oak Flat is more than land—it is a place of prayer, worship, and cultural continuity.

Legal Battles Stretch Across Years

Since 2021, Apache Stronghold and allied groups have opposed the sale of Oak Flat to Resolution Copper, a British-Australian mining company.

They argue that transferring the land violates the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and endangers centuries-old traditions.

The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court twice: in May 2025 and again in October 2025, but the high court refused to block the transfer.

On March 23, the Department of Justice announced a major victory when the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district court decision allowing the land sale to proceed.

According to the government, the exchange is “congressionally mandated” and will support development of one of the largest known copper deposits globally, securing a stable domestic copper supply.

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Indigenous Voices and Opposition

Apache Stronghold remains steadfast. Wendsler Nosie Sr. told EWTN News, “It is our spiritual lifeblood—the place where generations of Apache have gathered to worship, pray, and connect with our Creator.”

He vowed that the fight would continue in lower courts and through advocacy efforts, calling the project an attempt to “wipe Oak Flat off the map.”

Support for the Apaches has come from unexpected allies, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Knights of Columbus.

Both filed briefs arguing that allowing the mine violates federal religious freedom law, citing that the government cannot impose a “substantial burden” on religious practices without demonstrating a compelling interest using the least restrictive means.

Historical Context of the Law

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act was passed in 1993 with bipartisan support, partly in response to the 1990 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Employment Division v. Smith.

That case upheld “neutral laws of general applicability,” even if they burdened Native American religious practices, such as peyote use in ceremonies.

RFRA was designed to ensure that religious practices could not be burdened without strict scrutiny by the government.

Mining Interests vs. Sacred Traditions

Resolution Copper emphasizes the economic and strategic importance of Oak Flat, citing copper as essential for green energy technologies, electric vehicles, and national infrastructure.

However, opponents argue that the destruction of a sacred site cannot be justified by economic needs, warning that the loss is irreparable.

The case highlights a persistent tension in U.S. policy: balancing natural resource development with the protection of Indigenous cultural and religious rights.

Impact and Consequences

• The ruling allows one of the largest copper mines in the U.S. to proceed, potentially bolstering domestic supply.
• Indigenous communities face the destruction of a sacred site central to cultural and spiritual practices.
• Religious freedom advocates may see the case as a weakening of RFRA protections when economic interests are prioritized.
• The outcome could set a precedent for future conflicts between industrial development and Native American religious rights.

What’s Next?

• Apache Stronghold and allies will likely pursue legal and advocacy strategies in lower courts.
• Public campaigns and support from religious organizations may continue to draw attention to Oak Flat.
• Congressional or state-level interventions could arise if public pressure grows.
• Environmental and cultural impact assessments may become focal points in ongoing debates over the mine’s development.

Summary

The U.S. government has cleared the path for a copper mine at Oak Flat, a site sacred to the Apache people.

Despite Indigenous opposition and support from religious groups citing RFRA, courts have allowed the land transfer to Resolution Copper to proceed.

The decision underscores the tension between economic development and religious and cultural preservation, setting the stage for continued legal and social battles.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Oak Flat, a sacred Apache site in Arizona, will move forward with a copper mine.
• The 9th Circuit upheld a district court decision allowing the sale to Resolution Copper.
• Apache Stronghold vows to continue fighting to protect the site.
• Catholic bishops and the Knights of Columbus filed briefs supporting the Apaches.
• RFRA was designed to prevent government actions from substantially burdening religion without compelling justification.
• Economic interests in copper supply clash with Indigenous spiritual traditions.
• The case may set a precedent for future conflicts between development and religious rights.