Copper World

Urged the council not to reappoint Tom Murphy as mayor, citing his endorsement of Juan Ciscomani, favorable Vulcan Materials comments, and positions on Hudbay water use.

Said Hudbay has scrapped on-site copper finishing — "bait and switch" — and urged the council to protect residents rather than side with the mine.

30-year resident laid out numbers showing nearly all of Hudbay's stored CAP water is 45 miles away in Marana and Project Renews is only 20% complete; asked for a formal public hearing and possible cancellation of the 2013 agreement.

Argued the 105% replenishment promise was impossible from the start and that Hudbay is out of compliance with both the town agreement and ADWR.

Recapped the October 29 water forum, noting CAP cuts of 7% to 30% in recent years and warning that stored water will last only about seven years; cautioned the council not to "miss the boat" on data centers too.

Explained the federal CAP water agreement allows cuts when the river suffers, warning replenishment may be largely unavailable within five years.

Thanked outgoing Vice Mayor Egbert and detailed Save the Scenic Santa Ritas' advocacy, including the 40,000-truck warning and the alleged police accusation against the group, which the town has refused to retract.

Used satire about displaced 'Santa Rita residents' — wildlife — to ask what plans the town has to handle animals displaced by the proposed copper mines.

Called for a change in leadership and a new mayor in December 2026, citing Mayor Murphy's decade in office, his prior work for Rancho Sahuarita, and his public endorsement of Copper World.

Read from the 2013 town/Rosemont agreement, said Copper World withdrew 10 million gallons without reporting it and has recharged none, and asked why the town hasn't initiated default proceedings.

A former EPA water quality specialist, she said the aquifer has dropped 187 feet since 1965 and warned 40,000 heavy trucks a year would pass schools and homes every 15 minutes, day and night.

Said Arizona lost 30% of its CAP water in 2022 and a new cut begins this month, raising water bills and hurting the mine's ability to manage its sulfate plume; asked why the town isn't recruiting low-water industries like avionics.

A Green Valley resident, she said Copper World would draw 6-8 million gallons daily versus Community Water's 2 million, that Hudbay hasn't built the promised CAP pipeline, and demanded the council hold a public hearing on recharge feasibility.

Asked where the water for growth will come from, citing Pima County warnings about the Rosemont Pit, aquifer depletion, and heavy-metal discharge concerns.

Argued Hudbay is violating the 2013 contract to recharge 105% of groundwater and asked the town to enforce it and withhold permits until compliance.

Asked the town to identify which mine impacts it can regulate and to pursue ordinances on water monitoring and truck compliance.

Called for transparency on what the council learned from water company meetings and pressed for mitigation plans for Copper World's air, water, and traffic impacts.

Framed the issue as legal and moral, demanding independent evaluation of water and power demands and transparency about the Santa Rita substation expansion before any approval.

A retired CEO who pressed for a written risk-reward and cost-benefit analysis of the Hudbay mine, including tax incentives, electric costs and net employment figures.

Urged Mayor Murphy to step aside on Copper World and to consult Pima County and South Tucson officials who rejected the project, then adopt a protective resolution.

Asked rhetorical questions about aquifer volumes, well depths and whether Hudbay can meet its 105% recharge pledge given reduced CAP allotments.

Save the Scenic Santa Ritas outreach coordinator who resubmitted a 130-signature petition demanding a public hearing on Hudbay's recharge proof — 'no recharge, no pipeline' — and described a police firearms-training incident in Marana's Heritage Park.

Spoke on concerns about the proposed Copper World project.

Raised concerns about the proposed Copper World mining project.

Raised concerns about the proposed Copper World mining project.

Raised concerns about the proposed Copper World mining project.

Raised concerns about the proposed Copper World mining project.

Raised concerns about the proposed Copper World mining project.

Raised concerns about the proposed Copper World mining project.

Raised concerns about the proposed Copper World mining project.

Spoke against the proposed copper mine.

Spoke against the proposed copper mine.

Spoke against the proposed copper mine.

Spoke against the proposed copper mine.

Spoke against the proposed copper mine.

Spoke against the proposed copper mine.

Spoke against the proposed copper mine.

Spoke against the proposed copper mine.

Spoke against the proposed copper mine.

Spoke against the proposed copper mine.

Spoke against the proposed copper mine.

Compared Copper World to the poisoned Berkeley Pit in Butte, Montana, and cited health risks from drinking water contamination and airborne particulates from mining.

Asked where the public can access Hudbay's required annual reports on water withdrawn and recharged under its right-of-way license.

A new Quail Creek resident who urged the council to pursue every avenue to protect water, air, and quality of life before the damage becomes irreversible, and asked for email responses.

Said the council has the power to stop the mine's water supply, compared it to the poisoned Butte, Montana pit lake, and warned of a possible recall if the council doesn't act.

Criticized Hudbay's failure to answer questions at a Quail Creek meeting and the Mayor's past radio comments, citing threats to the aquifer, air quality, and home values; asked the council to join Tucson and Pima County in opposing the mine.

An environmental biochemist and original Rancho Sahuarita owner who spoke about water as the living heart of the community and urged protection of the watershed.

Said he was shocked an open-pit mine was being allowed near schools and homes, and questioned how Hudbay can fulfill recharge promises given Colorado River shortages.

Presented 133 signatures asking the town to hold a public hearing on whether Hudbay can recharge 105% of its groundwater withdrawals, alleging Hudbay pumped nearly 11 million gallons in 2025 without recharging within the required area.

Said a copper mine next door conflicts with the town's quality-of-life mission and asked for candidate positions on the mine in the coming election.

Called Hudbay duplicitous on water data and demanded independent hydrological studies, monthly monitoring of air/water/traffic, and truck restrictions before any agreement.

A ten-year resident who moved for clean air and water; said Hudbay can't prove it can recharge 105% given Colorado River shortages.

A resident since 1971 with a 340-foot well, who said Rosemont's nearby pumping and planned 900-1,000-foot mine wells would drain shallow wells like a sponge.

Told the council that TEP's Santa Rita Connection power line application deceptively excluded the substation that will power the mine, and asked the council to hold a public hearing on the project.

Thanked the council for serving, noted the town already has two mines it can barely support, and asked the council to pursue other commercial development instead of a third mine.

Thanked the council for consolidated trash service, then argued CAP water cuts undermine Hudbay's 105% replenishment promise and urged the town to deny pipeline right-of-way and oppose the mine.

Cited diesel exposure cancer risks and heavy metals from sulfide mining, saying thousands of trucks would idle near schools, and noted a large stack of opposition postcards is coming.

Said she shares the concerns raised and lacks trust in the transparency of dealings with Hudbay; requested a public hearing as soon as possible.

Spoke for local children and families, questioning how Hudbay will replace 105% of pumped water and noting residents pay to maintain roads the trucks would use.

Argued the mine would permanently scar the community for about 400 jobs and profits leaving the country, and urged attracting cleaner industries instead.

Strongly opposed the mine, citing studies that all U.S. copper sulfide mines have had spills, and detailed the 24/7 truck traffic and pollution risks on Santa Rita Road.

Executive director of Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, he said Hudbay operated five wells in 2025 without required state reporting and questioned Mayor Murphy's paid newspaper ad endorsing Copper World, asking whether the council approved it.

Said the town has power to shut down the pipeline over the broken water contract, and warned about unregulated contracted truck drivers hauling hazardous materials near schools.

Criticized the council for lacking accountability, noting data center zoning and past business bans, and warned voters will hold the mayor and vice mayor accountable in the primary.

Compared the project to Wisconsin's failed Foxconn deal, warning of subsidized promises and water depletion, and asked for a transparent public hearing.

Speaking for Hudbay/Copper World, thanked speakers, corrected what he called inaccurate claims (project footprint, town's shutdown authority), and pledged continued community engagement and regulatory compliance.

Warned the Copper World mine will pollute air, ruin roads and drain the aquifer, urging the council to make General Plan language 'crystal clear' to protect the community.

Compared Copper World to the massive Morenci mine, warning of dust and toxic air, and urged the council to consider the mine's impact on quality of life in the plan.

Thanked staff and the review committee, noted he completed all the surveys, and asked how the plan addresses water resources and environmental safety related to the Copper World project.

Warned of toxic dust, hazardous hydrogen sulfide trucks passing schools, road damage, and aquifer depletion from the Copper World mine; urged the town to act now to mitigate.

Save the Scenic Santa Ritas director said his public records request on the Rosemont license was ignored, urged the council to terminate the agreement, and announced a Saturday community meeting on the mine's threats.