Trump Blasts Appeals Court for Halting Resolution Copper Land Transfer

Resolution Copper Land Transfer Stalled Amid Legal, Political Tensions

Former U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized a federal appeals court decision that paused the transfer of federal land to Rio Tinto and BHP. The land is essential for the Resolution Copper project in Arizona, a site projected to supply over 25% of U.S. copper demand. Trump voiced frustration on Truth Social, labeling the 9th Circuit Court’s decision “radical” and “anti-American.”

The court’s ruling follows an emergency appeal by the San Carlos Apache tribe, who argue the mine threatens sacred land and the environment. It marks only the second legal win for Apache Stronghold or allied groups in over five years of litigation. The tribe says the mine would destroy a religious site, while the mining giants insist they plan to retain all produced copper within the U.S.

Trump met with Rio Tinto and BHP executives shortly before the ruling, underscoring the mine’s importance to his domestic mining strategy. Although he did not announce a legal response, Trump reiterated the nation’s urgent need for copper and criticized foreign influence, particularly from China, in U.S. resource assets.

Copper Supply, Tariffs, and Tribal Sovereignty Collide in Arizona

The Resolution Copper project has become a flashpoint for debates over energy independence, tribal rights, and global competition. Located in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest, the proposed underground mine would create a massive crater and displace a site considered sacred by the San Carlos Apache. The project, first approved under President Obama in 2014, has seen support fluctuate between administrations.

Rio Tinto and BHP have faced increasing scrutiny, especially from Apache leadership. Tribal Chairman Terry Rambler questioned whether the copper will remain in the U.S., noting Rio Tinto’s ties to Chinese stakeholders. Meanwhile, Rio maintains the mine’s output would feed U.S. industry exclusively, and it controls one of only two domestic copper smelters.

Trump’s stance comes on the heels of newly imposed copper tariffs targeting finished goods like wiring and pipes—measures the industry sees as too limited. Despite the broader goal of securing domestic supply chains, raw copper concentrate remains exempt from tariffs, allowing continued imports from countries like Chile and Peru.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The Resolution Copper dispute highlights a core dilemma facing U.S. resource strategy: how to balance domestic supply ambitions with environmental and cultural preservation. While the mine could dramatically enhance U.S. copper self-sufficiency, legal and social challenges remain formidable. Trump’s vocal support signals copper’s growing political weight as the U.S. looks to reduce dependence on foreign sources—particularly in the electrification era. Yet, without clear resolution between tribal rights and industrial goals, the path forward remains uncertain for this critical mineral project.