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Elgin, Green Valley largely opposed to proposed Rosemont Mine

The prospect of bringing copper mining back to the Santa Rita Mountains is an explosive issue that's divided an entire region. Granted, the proposed Rosemont Mine would bring hundreds of jobs and added vitality to the area. But for some, the potential drawbacks are just too much to bear.

At this point, Rosemont Mine is only a 900 million dollar idea. But it's one that's evoked a lot of opinion and consternation across Southern Arizona.

"There's a lot of problems associated with a large mining operation."

That's why Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and a top United States Department of Agriculture official visited the site today to get a firsthand look at the plan.

Vancouver-based Augusta Mining Company is proposing what would be one of the largest copper mines in the world today, yielding some 220 million pounds of copper per year.  With today's copper prices at three dollars a pound--that's a pretty lucrative idea, to say the least.

Though not everybody's interested in the fiscal welfare of a Canadian company, even one that promises at least 400 jobs, starting around 60 thousand dollars a year.

"We estimate that perhaps 80 thousand people in southern AZ have expressed serious opposition to this mining proposal in one way or another," says Morris Farr, vice president of Save the Scenic Santa Ritas.

"The flipside is...our technology, our cars, our cell phones, our houses--so much of what we do depends on hard rock minerals--and of course they've gotta come from somewhere," Congresswoman Giffords says.

Only problem is...people in Green Valley, Sahuarita, Elgin and Senoita don't want it here.  That's precisely why Jay Jensen, Deputy Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is in Southern Arizona--to listen to both sides and hopefully come up with some kind of recommendation soon.

"We're going to be examining that and looking at exactly how we can move forward and make the best decision in the end for the community, for the forest and for the future," Jensen says.