Supreme Court Allows Copper Mine on Apache Sacred Land
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an Apache religious challenge to a copper mine on Oak Flat, a sacred site, allowing the project to proceed despite opposition from the Apache community who argue it violates their religious rights. The decision upholds a lower court ruling, with dissenting justices warning of broader implications for religious sites on federal land. The mine, rich in copper and economically significant, faces ongoing legal and political battles.