Eli Crane is on record as supporting Resolution Copper’s proposed Oak Flat Mine over the objections of numerous regional, statewide and national groups.
He is quoted here in a 6/03/23 article in prescottenews.com: Biden Admin Undermines Arizona Economy by Freezing Critical Mining Project – Rep. Eli Crane
“The Biden administration is kneecapping the economy of Arizona’s Second Congressional District and impeding the growth of our nation’s supply of critical minerals with their needless attacks on American mining,” Rep. Crane said. “This is exactly the kind of investment our communities need and, sadly, the economic sabotage we’re witnessing is exactly what we’ve come to expect from this administration. I strongly urge the admin to release its finalized EIS and permit this essential project.”
To summarize briefly, the proposed mine would obliterate the sacred riparian site and recreational area known as Oak Flat, near Superior. The mine would leave behind a crater twice as deep and more than twice as wide as Meteor Crater. The ore, for which Resolution would pay no royalties, would be shipped to China, processed in Chinese smelters, and sold back to us by China. Billions of tons of tailings would be dumped on state land in the Gila River watershed. The damage to the water aquifers, springs, streams and rivers in the area would be incalculable.
There is an excellent fact sheet on this website:
hechoonline.org/blog/resolution-coppers-mine-at-oak-flat-myths-vs-facts
This group’s name HECHO is an acronym for “Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and the Outdoors”
There’s another brief fact sheet at AZminingreform.org.
Some of the other groups opposing the mine are:
- Apache Stronghold, www.apache-stronghold.com
- Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter
- Center for Biological Diversity
- and many others.
Crane Gives Away Arizona’s Money
Each U.S. representative can request funds for needed work in their district. Eli Crane considers it too much work to request funding for his district, so northern Arizona’s money goes to other states. Members of Congress are allowed to request money for Community Project Funding.
More than $15 billion is awarded each year to communities for their projects.
But not in Arizona’s Second District. Even though he has an extensive government-paid staff, he can’t be bothered to do the paperwork.
At least three billionaires are involved in supporting Eli Crane and pulling his strings.
They include:
- Elon Musk — Enough said.
- Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick
- Richard Uihlein — Operator of a huge packaging supply company who once got in trouble for employing undocumented workers.