EPA Proposes Lead, Copper Limits Near Planned Arizona Mine (1)

An Arizona creek threatened by pollution from a proposed copper mine near Phoenix will receive lead and copper contamination limits under a proposed consent decree that the Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday.

Under the proposed decree, the EPA will establish a total maximum daily load, or TMDL, for lead and copper for Queen Creek by July 2028 unless the state does so first. The decree is a response to a lawsuit filed in September by the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition and other environmental groups, including the Sierra Club.

Resolution Copper is proposing to produce 132,000 tons of copper ore ...