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Anyone can help stop industrialized mining—including you.
Never underestimate the power of voice. As a citizen of our planet, with a stake in the health of our water and wildlife, you have every right to make your concerns known. No matter if you’re a business owner, rancher, outdoor enthusiast, or seasonal Patagonia visitor, the decisions made about our land and laws apply to you and your livelihood.
Celebrate your freedom to speak! Use this page for some ideas on how to get started.
Regulations and Laws for Today’s Industrialized Mining
- Santa Cruz County is not allowed to regulate mining activity that exists on more than five acres of land (ARS 11-812).
- Arizona is one of the weakest environmentally-regulated states in the U.S., especially with respect to hard rock mining.
- The federal government continuously weakens environmental protections and underfunds environmental agencies.
“The reason things change is because lots of people are working all the time. They’re working in their communities, in their workplace, or wherever they happen to be —and they’re building up the basis for popular movements, which are going to make changes. That’s the way everything has ever happened in history.”
Noam Chomsky
1. Communicate with your legislators.
Exercise your right to speak! Use these guidelines to send an effective message to your elected officials.
2. Request to Speak Q & A.
Support or oppose a bill, electronically with a thumbs up or thumbs down. Your stance then gets transmitted to each legislator and becomes part of the record for that bill.
3. Write letters to the editor of your local paper.
These tips on how to express your opinion will increase your likelihood of being published.
4. Know the language of mining media.
Brings awareness to the power of words—both yours and others. This PDF will explain which words to use and which to avoid when discussing industrialized mining.
5. Understand the scarcity of mining regulations.
Read “A Summary Comparison of Applicable Federal Laws vs. State Laws for Large Scale Metal Mining Facilities in Arizona” for an eyeopener about how few environmental regulations govern mining on patented, private lands in Arizona.
6. Learn the ins and outs of the (very outdated) 1872 Mining Law.
The 1872 Mining Law is long overdue for major reform.
7. Finally, protect your community from industrialized mining.
Read this PDF for interesting insights into how mining companies move on communities.