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CYPRUS TOHONO CORPORATION PAYS $325,000 FINE

Release Date: 6/28/2000
Contact Information: Sonia Altieri, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-1588

     SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that the Cyprus Tohono Corporation of Casa Grande, Arizona has agreed to pay penalties and to complete projects totaling $325,000 for failing to immediately notify the National Response Center after a release of sulfuric acid into the environment, a violation of the Superfund law.

     "This settlement will greatly benefit the Tohono O'odham Nation," said Keith Takata, U.S. EPA's regional Superfund director.  "The money will be used to help determine the long-term environmental impact on the Tohono O'odham Nation's groundwater resources and to purchase emergency response equipment.  It will improve the tribe's ability to provide emergency services to its community members."  

     The settlement includes a $100,000 civil penalty, plus $75,000 for emergency equipment to the Tohono O'odham Nation, and $150,000 for a geochemical and hydrogeological characterization of evaporation ponds on the Cyprus Tohono Mine site.  

     In 1992, Cyprus Tohono released over 100,000 pounds of sulfuric acid and failed to notify the National Response Center as required by Superfund.  The company immediately cleaned up the spill and there is no threat to public health or the environment.  

     The Cyprus Tohono Corporation operates a copper mining operation on leased land from the Tohono O'odham Nation in the Sif Oidak District of the reservation, located in Pinal County, Arizona.  Cyprus Tohono, a subsidiary of Phelps Dodge Corporation, uses sulfuric acid to leach copper from ore.  

     Sulfuric acid is a hazardous substance which can be corrosive to tissue.  Mild exposures to sulfuric acid can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, mucous membranes, and respiratory and digestive tracts.