How Apache Stronghold’s fight to protect Oak Flat in central Arizona has played out over the years

PHOENIX (AP) — Oak Flat, a piece of national forest land in central Arizona, is at the heart of a yearslong struggle between Native American groups and mining interests that both consider it important for their future.

Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of international mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP, wants to develop the large deposit of copper ore deep under Oak Flat into a massive mine. The nonprofit Apache Stronghold considers the land sacred and says it should be preserved for religious ceremonies.

In a significant blow to Apache Stronghold, a divided federal court panel voted 6-5 on Friday to uphold a lower court’s denial of a preliminary injunction to halt transfer of land for the project.

Apache Stronghold says it will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Here is how the fight has played out over the years:

November 2013: Resolution Copper introduces its initial general plan of operations for a proposed mine at Oak Flat.

Dec. 12, 2014: The U.S. Senate approves a must-pass