The Magma Mine - Near The Mine climbing areas (Lower and Upper Looner Land)
A few years ago a British mining company named Resolution Copper co. (RCC) and partners purchased the Magma Mine in Superior and have found a large body of ore, possibly the largest body of ore in the world, 7500 feet below the Oak Flat campground, and under many of the present climbing areas. RCC is very anxious to obtain the land for mining, but since the deposit lies under the Oak Flat campground, which is protected by federal law from mining, RCC has sought to obtain the land through a land swap deal approved by congress.
Map of the area showing the area of Oak Flat protected by Presidential decree.
Over the past years the land swap deal has been turned down, but with the cost of copper on the rise, and the growing demand for metals worldwide, who knows what congress may think in the future. RCC claims that the new jobs created from the mine will help the AZ economy and bring more money in to the state.
Many organizations are opposed to this land trade including the San Carlos Apache tribe and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation due to historical and religious ties they have to the Queen Creek area. Once the land is in RCCs hands, the Oak Flat area over time will be destroyed.
The future of climbing at Oak Flat?