Recession Erodes Resistance to Arizona Copper Mine

Two years ago, Marles Jimenez demonstrated against the proposed development of Resolution Copper mine by Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton here. The mining site, more than a mile above the largest known copper reserve in North America, is also adjacent to Apache Leap, a majestic jutting cliff of rocks. But recently that worry has been eclipsed by the region's economic troubles. Mr. Jimenez, out of work as a mechanic since October, has had to sell his 1999 Ford pickup to pay the rent on his trailer. "The Leap is beautiful, but we need jobs," he says. Seeing an opening, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are now touting their joint-venture mine as a local stimulus package. "Except ours won't cost taxpayers any money," says David Salisbury, president of the joint venture, Resolution Copper Mining. The copper reserve could employ at least 1,132 people at its peak, add $800 million to Arizona's economy and eventually supply 20% of North America's copper needs, Mr. Salisbury says...WSJ