ADEQ: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality AZ.gov, Arizona's Official Web Site
Our mission is to protect and enhance public health and the environment
Air Quality Division: Permits: Rosemont Copper Company

On January 31, 2013, ADEQ issued Air Quality Permit No. 55223 to Rosemont Copper Company for the construction and operation of an open pit copper mine at 21900 S Sonoita Highway, Vail, Arizona 85641. The facility is approximately 30 miles southeast of Tucson, west of State Highway 83, in Pima County, Arizona.

The final documents are listed below:

Background Information

Rosemont Copper Company (RCC) has proposed to construct and operate an open pit copper mine, milling, leaching, and solvent extraction/electrowinning facility to be located at 21900 S Sonoita Highway, Vail, Arizona 85641. The facility is approximately 30 miles southeast of Tucson, west of State Highway 83, in Pima County, Arizona.

RCC will primarily mine copper along with minor quantities of molybdenum, silver and other by-products. The copper mineralization in the area is a sulfide ore with a cap of oxide copper close to the surface. The ore will be mined through conventional open pit mining techniques and processed using floatation and leaching process to produce copper cathode. The proposed mine has an anticipated operating life of 20 years with peak mining rates of ore and waste rock of up to 359,500 tons per day.

Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statues (A.R.S) 49-402(B) and Arizona SIP R9-3-1101, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has asserted complete air quality jurisdiction of the facility.

ADEQ has proposed a draft air quality permit for RCC. RCC is accepting voluntary emissions limitations to stay below major source thresholds by using high efficiency dust filters in addition to implementing various dust control measures. Therefore, a Class II synthetic minor permit is being proposed for this facility.

The public comment period commenced August 06, 2012 and ended October 31, 2012. A public meeting was held at Sycamore Elementary School in Vail, Arizona, on October 01, 2012. A public hearing was held at Sycamore Elementary School in Vail, Arizona, on October 09, 2012.

All comments had to be postmarked, emailed, or hand-delivered no later than October 31, 2012.

Interested citizens can also subscribe Leaving ADEQ Web site to email or text alerts to news and other events related to this proposed permit.