US President weighs in on major international projects
US President Donald Trump has slammed a court decision that delayed a multibillion-dollar copper project in Arizona that is spearheaded by mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP.
The Resolution Copper project is a proposed underground mine that is expected to be one of the largest of its kind in the United States, and is estimated to generate thousands of local jobs in the region.
The project would need the transfer of hectares of land in Tonto National Forest to Resolution Copper, which was supposed to take place on Tuesday after a review period.
However, the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued on Monday a last-minute temporary administrative injunction that stopped the federal land swap needed for the project.
The court issued the injunction while it considers the legal actions taken by Native Americans and environmental advocates who seek to block the transfer.
Trump blasted the decision on Truth Social, describing the court as a "radical left" court.
"Those that fought it are Anti-American, and representing other Copper competitive Countries. We can't continue to allow this to happen to the U.S.A.!" the US president said on the post.
"3,800 Jobs are affected, and our Country, quite simply, needs Copper--AND NOW."
A 'temporary pause' for Resolution
Meanwhile, Resolution Copper said the court's decision is "merely a temporary pause."
"We are confident the court will ultimately affirm the district court's well-reasoned orders explaining in detail why the congressionally directed land exchange satisfies all applicable legal requirements," it said in a statement.
Resolution added that the project has undergone rigorous and independent review led by the US Forest Service over the past 11 years, which included consultation with numerous Native American tribes, local communities, agencies, and civil society organisations.
"The collaborative process has directly led to major changes to the mining plan to preserve and reduce potential impacts on tribal, social, environmental, and cultural interests," it said.
"We are encouraged to see so much local support for the Resolution Copper project, and our ongoing dialogue will continue to shape the approach moving forward."
