TUCSON, Ariz.— A new public opinion poll released today found that nearly two-thirds of Pima County voters oppose Toronto-based Hudbay Minerals’ proposed Copper World mine in the Santa Rita Mountains about 30 miles southeast of Tucson. The survey also found that only 19% of likely voters support the project.

“The Santa Rita mountains, which we call Ce:wi Duag, hold our history, our sacred places and the living connections between our people and the natural world,” said Tohono O'odham Nation Chairman Verlon Jose. “It is encouraging to see that so many people across Pima County recognize that Copper World threatens values that cannot be replaced once they are destroyed. We have a collective responsibility to protect the Santa Rita Mountains for future generations.”

The survey found that 63% of likely Pima County voters oppose the proposed mine, including 56% who strongly oppose it, while only 19% support it. After hearing competing arguments about the project, opposition increased to 67%. The survey was conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3),

The poll also found that a majority of voters would have a less favorable view of an elected official who supports the mine, including 41% who said they would have a much less favorable view.

“This poll shows there’s no real constituency for Copper World,” said John Dougherty, executive director of Save the Scenic Santa Ritas. “Democrats and independents overwhelmingly oppose it, and Republicans are closely divided. Once people understand what's at stake — clean drinking water and air, safe communities, and the future of the Santa Rita Mountains that create a vital watershed for southern Arizona — they reject this destructive proposal.”

The survey found overwhelming opposition among Democrats and independent voters. Nearly eight in 10 Democrats (79%) oppose Copper World, along with 64% of independents. More Republicans oppose the project than support it — 40% oppose the mine and 38% support it.

Opposition also remains remarkably durable: After hearing arguments both supporting and opposing the project, two-thirds of voters still opposed Copper World. The findings demonstrate that concerns about the mine transcend traditional political divides.

The proposed Copper World mine would industrialize more than 4,500 acres of the northern Santa Rita Mountains. The project would consist of four open-pit mines, including one measuring roughly 1.5 miles across and more than 2,000 feet deep. The mine would permanently destroy wildlife habitat, deplete and potentially pollute groundwater resources, generate billions of tons of toxic mine waste and obliterate lands sacred to the Tohono O'odham Nation and other Tribal Nations.

“The Santa Rita Mountains are the crown jewel of the Sky Island mountains, and this massive mine doesn’t belong there,” said Russ McSpadden of the Center for Biological Diversity. “Recognized globally as a biodiversity hotspot, this range is full of incredible habitat for jaguars, Mexican spotted owls and many other threatened and endangered species. Pima County residents cherish this mountain range and they want it protected for generations to come.”

The poll found voters were especially troubled by the mine's potential impacts to drinking water, its destruction of wildlife habitat, the enormous scale of its open pits and tailings facilities, and the fact that much — if not all — of the copper concentrate could ultimately be shipped overseas for processing rather than supporting domestic manufacturing.

Hudbay Minerals continues to pursue permits for Copper World despite ongoing litigation challenging key state approvals, including the project’s air quality permit and access to State Trust Land.

FM3 conducted the survey of 690 likely November 2026 Pima County voters between June 30 and July 9, 2026. The survey has a margin of error of ±4 percentage points.