Federal lawmakers and mining representatives in Arizona are attempting to trade 2000 acres of federal land for 5000 acres of company-held land. Introduced by Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ), H.R. 687, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2013, would allow Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of mining giant Rio Tinto, to mine on federal land in Pinal County, AZ, in exchange for private land in Gila, Yavapi, Maricopa, Coconino, Pinal, and Santa Cruz Counties.

Votes on the legislation have been tabled due to lack of support in the House. Opponents of the bill argue that exemptions must be made for sacred tribal land, and that the swap must undergo additional environmental reviews.

Sources: E&E News, Government Printing Office, Resolution Copper