HECHO Statement on Supreme Court’s Refusal to Hear Oak Flat Case

The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the Oak Flat case marks a significant setback for Tribal sovereignty, cultural preservation, and the protection of sacred public lands. 

 “This decision is not just a legal failure, it is a moral one. HECHO stands with Apache Stronghold and the San Carlos Apache Tribe in condemning this outcome. They have the right to be heard in decisions that impact the sacred places central to their culture, traditions, and history. As Justices Gorsuch and Thomas explained in their dissent, ‘this Court should at least have troubled itself to hear their case,’” said Camilla Simon, Executive Director of HECHO. “Allowing the transfer of Chi’chil Biłdagoteel, also known as Oak Flat, to a foreign-owned mining company paves the way for irreversible destruction of a site that holds significant spiritual, cultural, and ecological significance.” 

The implications of this land transfer are profound not only for Tribal sovereignty, but also national security, water security, and America's long-term self-reliance.  

Through the Resolution Copper project, the United States will give away 2,422 acres of federal public land with billions of dollars-worth of copper underneath it to a private, foreign-owned company with ties to China. This land transfer comes with no guarantees that the extracted minerals will remain in the United States or that any royalties will be returned to the American people. Furthermore, the mine is projected to consume 250 billion gallons of water over four decades, depleting already scarce groundwater supplies and sacrificing Arizona’s water security for foreign profit. 

HECHO urges Congress and federal leaders to take swift and meaningful action to reverse the land exchange, honor the federal trust responsibility and protect America’s resources from foreign exploitation.  

Sacred lands like Oak Flat must be protected not handed over to foreign corporations at the expense of communities, resources, and values.