On August 25, 2025, ADEQ released a draft revised air pollution permit claiming to fix the flaws identified by the EPA. The permit continues to suffer from serious deficiencies.
Your voice is needed, please comment on the air permit before September 25, 2025.
In response to a legal petition filed by the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance and other organizations fighting to protect the Patagonia Mountains, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in May 2025 objected to the issuance of an air pollution permit to South32 for its Hermosa heavy metals mine. The EPA held that the permit issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) failed to fully comply with the Clean Air Act.
On August 25, 2025, ADEQ released a draft revised air pollution permitclaiming to fix the flaws identified by the EPA. The permit revision only addresses the issues raised by EPA. The permit continues to suffer from serious deficiencies. Notably, it still fails to set forth enforceable particulate matter pollution limits and to require adequate particulate matter monitoring. It does not fully address the EPA’s objection.
For a complete analysis of the permit, as well as talking points, go here.
There will be a public hearing on the permit renewal on September 25, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Patagonia Elementary and High School, 200 Naugle Avenue, Patagonia, AZ . See map below.
