The US Supreme Court has declined to hear a case brought by the Apache Native American tribe, which sought to block the construction of a large copper mine in Arizona. The mine, which is set to be one of the largest in the country, has been the subject of controversy due to its proposed location near a site considered sacred by the Apache people. The tribe claims that the mine would destroy Oak Flat, a religious site that holds significant cultural and spiritual importance to the Apache community.

The decision by the Supreme Court not to hear the case effectively allows the mine's construction to proceed, despite the Apache tribe's objections. The tribe had argued that the mine would desecrate the sacred site and violate their constitutional rights to practice their religion. The mine, which is being developed by a subsidiary of the Australian mining company Rio Tinto, is expected to create hundreds of jobs and generate significant economic revenue for the region.

However, the project has been met with fierce resistance from the Apache tribe and environmental groups, who argue that the mine would not only destroy a sacred site but also pose significant environmental risks. The mine is expected to use a technique called block cave mining, which involves excavating large amounts of rock and soil to access the copper deposits. This method has been criticized for its potential to cause widespread environmental damage, including water pollution and loss of biodiversity.

The dispute over the mine has highlighted the long-standing tensions between Native American communities and the US government over issues of land rights, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. The Apache tribe has been fighting to protect Oak Flat for decades, and the Supreme Court's decision not to hear their case has been seen as a significant setback for their efforts. The case has also sparked concerns about the impact of mining and other extractive industries on indigenous communities and the environment, and has raised questions about the need for greater protections and safeguards to prevent similar conflicts in the future.