The Forest Service is not waiting for the court's ruling to publish the new report, Pepin said, adding that the agency does not believe an 1852 treaty between the U.S. government and Apaches gives Native Americans the right to the land containing the copper. "This particular treaty is just a peace treaty. It doesn't settle any rights to land and it doesn't create any land rights," Pepin told the court. The Apache Stronghold held a ceremony outside the Pasadena, California, courthouse on Tuesday to protest Rio's plans for the copper mine. Reuters images showed some protesters drumming while others displayed placards with the words "Save Oak Flat" and "What will we do when the last mine is mined?" in the rain. The 11 judges at the hearing questioned all sides about the legal concept of substantial burden and whether the government can do what it want with federal land, even if it prevents some citizens from fully exercising their religious beliefs. A full ruling is expected in the near future. Wendsler Nosie, who leads the Apache Stronghold, said at a rally after the hearing that Pepin's statements showed Biden - who controls the Forest Service - has not made opposition to the mine a "priority" for his administration.
"It's not over. It's just made us stronger, tougher, and deeply committed to our prayers," Nosie said.
A Rio spokesperson said the company is closely following the case and respects the legal process, but believes "that settled precedent supports" the rejection of Apache Stronghold's claims by a lower court. Rio has said it will smelt copper from the project inside the United States.
Representatives for the San Carlos Apache tribe were not immediately available to comment, nor were representatives for BHP, which is helping Rio develop the mine. (Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Jamie Freed)
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