Biden administration sends southern AZ mine $20M as congressman, residents raise concerns
A mine near the Patagonia Mountains in southern Arizona received $20 million from the federal government to accelerate the production of battery-grade manganese, Australian mining company South32 announced last week.
The funding comes from the federal Defense Production Act battery grant program, which aims to strengthen the U.S. industrial base for large-capacity batteries. South32 said in a news release it will also invest $43 million to fund the effort.
The mine is located in the biodiverse Patagonia Mountains in the once-abandoned mining district of Harshaw, where previous companies left behind significant deposits of zinc, manganese, lead and silver. The Hermosa project is the only advanced mine development project in the U.S. able to produce manganese and zinc, two federally designated critical minerals.
This funding comes after the mining company's decision earlier this year to invest $2.16 billion in the project. The project would be the largest private investment in Santa Cruz County's history if permitted, according to the U.S. Permitting Council. That funding was geared toward producing zinc ore by 2027.
As the permitting process advances for the Hermosa Mine, some officials and residents fear the environmental impacts that could be caused because of mining activities.
Officials push for longer environmental review
Friday’s announcement came one week after the USDA Forest Service announced its preparation of an environmental review and opening public comment period.
The 30-day public comment period received backlash, with local and federal officials requesting a 60 or 90-day comment period.
“The Hermosa project … is an especially large, complex, and controversial project that warrants robust public review and input,” said Rep. Raul Grijalva in a letter to the U.S. Forest Service.
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Grijalva noted that the project materials and mining plan are written exclusively in English, posing barriers to Spanish speakers.
“Additional bilingual public education and interactive workshops over an extended public comment period … are necessary to ensure all residents can fully understand and participate in the national Environmental Protection Act review process,” Grijalva said, noting that Santa Cruz County is predominantly Hispanic, and 78% of the county’s residents speak Spanish as a first language.
Residents worry the mine will impact biodiversity
Many residents oppose the mine concerned about the environmental impact of the mine’s activities in an area known for its biodiversity.
Residents also spoke out earlier this year against the mining company's application for a clean-air permit, stating concerns about pollution and lack of enforceability.
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Watchdog nonprofit Patagonia Area Resource Alliance educates about the risks of mining in the area and argues that no modern mining in the area will meet the “standards of responsible mining to sufficiently protect the health and vitality of our ecosystem" as published on the organization's website.
The organization noted many old mine sites that leak toxic sludge in the Patagonia mountains. These mountains are home to more than 300 species of birds, and 112 federally threatened, endangered and “sensitive” species of animals. The area is also a migratory route for jaguars and ocelots traveling to and from breeding grounds in Mexico.
South32 says it wants to bring clean energy, jobs to Arizona
The company said it aims to supply the critical metal needed for expanding clean energy technologies and infrastructure.
“This project represents an opportunity for the United States to create domestic supply chains for the minerals and metals important to national security. The Department of Defense funding will help develop this critical resource on a timeline that matches that urgency,” said Pat Risner, president of South32 Hermosa Inc., in a press release.
The company touted its commitment to sustainability with the project’s underground mine design, and the use of automation and technology to improve efficiency and lower its operational greenhouse gas emissions. The company also highlighted that the mine’s power supply will come from renewable energy with a future all-electric underground mining fleet.
Additionally, South32 projects using 75% less water than other mines in the region and creating up to 900 “good-paying jobs and support investment” in the surrounding area once the mine is operating.
The last ore production with more than 20% manganese stopped in 1970, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Manganese refining is also done abroad, with China producing 97% of the world's battery-grade manganese sulfate, according to a report published by the International Energy Agency.
Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com. The Republic’s coverage of southern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. Support Arizona news coverage with a tax-deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hermosa Mine: Biden admin sends $20M to boost manganese production
