Past Issues

In June 1990 Newmont Mining Corporation filed claims to drill for gold just outside the mouth of Cave Creek Canyon — and because of that action, the Chiricahua Regional Council was born. A broad cross-section of interest groups first formed the Portal Mining Action Coalition (PMAC) and later reorganized as CRC. Thanks to the efforts of CRC with the help of many people, especially Congressman Jim Kolbe, the Cave Creek Protection Act made it through both houses of Congress and was signed into law by President Clinton on August 2, 1993.

Below is a more detailed account of “The Mine Fight” as well as other issues CRC has confronted during our 30-plus year history. In addition, CRC has supported local education and cultural projects, including partial sponsorships of Heritage Days and the publication of the book Cave Creek Canyon: Revealing the Heart of Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains (2014, 2019, ECO Wear & Publishing).

The Mine Fight

The Mine Fight

The Chiricahua Regional Council had its roots in citizens’ efforts to prevent a large, open-pit gold mine from coming to Portal, Arizona. The effort was ultimately successful when the high biodiversity and other values of Cave Creek Canyon were recognized by Congress, which passed legislation to withdraw this area from exploitation under the 1872 Mining…