EPA Sides Partly with Eco-Groups on Arizona Mine Permit
Published Date: 10/2/2025
Notice
Summary
The EPA reviewed a petition from several environmental groups about the South32 Hermosa mine’s air pollution permit in Arizona. The EPA agreed with some concerns but denied others, meaning the mine’s permit will be partly changed but mostly stay as is. This affects the mine’s operations and helps protect local air quality without causing big delays or extra costs right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Mine Permit Partly Upheld
On May 30, 2025 the EPA granted in part and denied in part a petition (filed Sept 13, 2024) asking the agency to object to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's Title V operating permit for the South32 Hermosa Project, a zinc/lead/manganese/silver mine in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. That means parts of the mine’s permit will be changed while most of the permit will remain in place.
Partial Win for Local Air Quality
The EPA agreed with some concerns about the Hermosa mine’s air permit, which will lead to partial changes intended to address those concerns and help protect local air quality near Santa Cruz County, Arizona. The EPA signed the order on May 30, 2025 and the summary notes these changes do not cause big delays or extra costs right now.
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