Proposed copper mine near Tucson remains in limbo

A proposed copper mine in southern Arizona remains in limbo awaiting permit applications and federal approval. The proposed mine would pull 234 million pounds of copper annually from private and public land in the Santa Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson. The U.S. Forest Service says it can't legally say "no" to the proposed Rosemont Copper company's mine. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must act to grant or deny a permit for the mine under the federal Clean Water Act. The agency says a permit denial could stop the project. But The Arizona Daily Star says Rosemont Copper hasn't yet filed a formal permit application with the Army Corps. The agency can say "no" if it determines the project isn't in the public interest or the cost is unfeasible. AP