Industry groups are rallying to urge support for the proposed Rosemont Copper Mine. Supporters from mining, construction and other industries met October 14th 2011 at the Tucson Metro Chamber saying the proposed mine in the Santa Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson would represent a boon to the region's economy, creating jobs and supporting ancillary businesses.

Mr Wendell Long CEO of Sol Casinos, president of the Tucson Metro Chamber and a board member of Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities said that "We need people working to make Tucson strong. The best weapon against poverty is jobs."

The proposed mine which would sit partially on Coronado National Forest land on the eastern side of the mountains has been on the table since 2007. It awaits approval from the US Forest Service. Among those being the most vociferous in support of the mine are the construction trades which have been especially hard hit by the economic recession.

Mr Jim Kuliesch president of the Alliance of Construction Trades said that "A few years ago we had 7,000 employees today we have 3,000. The unemployment rate for construction workers in Southern Arizona stands at nearly 30%.

Estimates put the economic impact of the mine at USD 9 billion over the expected 21 year lifecycle of the project. It's estimated the mine would employ nearly 500 full time workers and indirectly support thousands of additional jobs. Estimates also show the mine would pay approximately USD 3.5 million annually in Pima County property taxes and USD 110 million in one time construction sales taxes during the building phase.

Mr Bill Assenmacher president of CAID Industries and board member for the mining industry advocacy organization AMIGOS said that the access to copper would be important to the state if it plans to continue to promote solar and other renewable energy sources. If we want to be great in solar, we have to be great in copper.

(Sourced from www.insidetucsonbusiness.com)