Apache Stronghold v. United States of America et al

  1. April 25, 2023

    Mining Co. Wants Say In Ariz. Dispute Over Sacred Native Site

    A mining company whose proposed copper mine in Arizona's Tonto National Forest is being challenged in Arizona federal court by an Apache nonprofit on religious liberty grounds wants in on the lower court litigation as the full Ninth Circuit mulls the controversial land transfer for the mine.

  2. January 30, 2023

    Scholars Say 9th Circ. Ruling Violates Native Religious Rights

    Five religious liberty law scholars say a recent ruling by a Ninth Circuit panel that an Apache nonprofit didn't provide proof that a mining project will be a substantial burden on its religious freedoms violates the tribe's First Amendment rights, as the U.S. government continues with a proposed federal land swap for a copper mine in Arizona's Tonto National Forest.

  3. June 25, 2021

    Ariz. Apache Group's Atty Says US Repeats 'Tragic Injustice'

    Apache Stronghold, a San Carlos Apache nonprofit, told the Ninth Circuit that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's approved land swap for a copper mine violates multiple laws related to religious liberty, highlighting how the mine would destroy sacred sites.

  4. February 16, 2021

    Ariz. Judge Won't Block Land Swap For Copper Mine

    An Arizona federal judge has rejected a bid by a San Carlos Apache nonprofit to halt the federal government's land exchange for the Resolution Copper mine project, saying losing the sacred site doesn't amount to a "substantial burden" on the group's religion under federal law.

  5. February 11, 2021

    Copper Mine Would Crater Sacred Site, Native Groups Say

    Native American rights advocates on Thursday backed a San Carlos Apache nonprofit's suit opposing the Resolution Copper mine project, telling an Arizona federal judge that the federal government's planned land swap for the project would lead to the site's destruction and the group's loss of any ability to practice their religion there.

  6. January 15, 2021

    Ariz. Copper Mine Plan Enters Next Stage Amid Court Fight

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday released the final environmental impact statement for a land swap that would allow for copper mining on lands sacred to the Apache tribe in Arizona, as indigenous advocates continue to fight the project.

  7. January 13, 2021

    Apache Stronghold Sues USDA Over Rio Tinto Mining Project

    Apache Stronghold, a San Carlos Apache nonprofit, has sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Arizona federal court to block a land swap that would allow Rio Tinto PLC and BHP Billiton to mine copper and allegedly dump toxic waste near land sacred to the Apache tribe.