The first U.S. copper mining operation in almost two decades was officially launched on Oct. 6 in a celebration that included Florence Copper executives, town officials, community members and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin.
The event ended a 10-year battle between the company, the town and local residents who were concerned over potential damage to underground drinking water reserves near residential areas.
In 2012 Florence Copper sued after the town condemned the company’s office buildings. A year later the town, under former Mayor Tom Rankin, filed several lawsuits and administrative appeals to block the company’s state and federal permits…