Navajo Community Votes Against Copper Mine on Grazing Land Near Page

Local Community Opposes Potential Copper Mine Development

A community within the Navajo Nation has expressed strong opposition to the prospect of a new copper mine on their grazing lands, reflecting growing environmental concerns. The Coppermine Chapter, a region historically linked to copper mining, cast a decisive vote against further mining initiatives.

The chapter, named after a former open-pit copper mine that ceased operations in 1968, passed a resolution by a vote of 45 to 12 against mining ventures such as the one proposed by Essential Minerals, a subsidiary of the Canadian firm Chakana Copper.

This resolution not only opposes new projects but also revokes a 2005 resolution that had initially supported a copper mine exploration by Constellation Copper. The chapter’s recent decision cites past failures by Constellation to meet its promises to the community.

According to the June 14 resolution, no corporation, including Essential Minerals, should leverage the outdated 2005 policy to explore copper mining in 2026. The document emphasizes the chapter’s duty to safeguard its natural resources and its right to decide on land usage, rejecting industrial actions that may pose environmental, cultural, or public health risks.

However, the resolution’s influence is limited. As the Coppermine Chapter is not accredited under the Navajo Nation’s Local Governance Act, the decisions taken may be overturned by the broader Navajo Nation government in Window Rock.

Despite the opposition, the tribe’s Minerals Department had previously granted Essential Minerals a reconnaissance permit for exploration. Concerns among tribal members about potential health and environmental impacts persist, as reported in KNAU’s May report.

Essential Minerals representatives have expressed a commitment to building trust with the community, asserting that the project remains in its exploratory phase. An executive assured that the mine would adhere to strict safety measures, including dust control and a closed-loop water system if the project advances to exploration.