The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given final approval for an aquifer exemption request from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ), enabling the expansion of copper mining in a section of the Burro Canyon aquifer located in San Juan County, Utah. This decision will allow Lisbon Valley Mining Company to extend its operations to include underground copper recovery.
The EPA and UDEQ concluded that a specific part of the Burro Canyon aquifer is not and will not be used as a drinking water source. The expansion aligns with the Trump Administration's goal to increase American mineral production, as copper is considered a vital mineral.
This decision follows the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) approval on October 16, 2025, for expanded mining operations at the Lisbon Valley Copper Mine. The plan permits underground extraction that could increase total production to over half a billion pounds of copper.
Cyrus Western, EPA Regional Administrator, said, "EPA’s approval of this aquifer exemption is an important step towards strengthening America’s energy and mineral independence." He emphasized that this decision reflects the agency's commitment to economic growth while maintaining environmental safeguards.
The Underground Injection Control (UIC) program generally prohibits fluid injection into aquifers like Burro Canyon unless an exemption is granted by the EPA. The UDEQ issued a Class III injection well permit for this project, which received EPA approval alongside the aquifer exemption.
Tim Davis, Executive Director of UDEQ, remarked on their responsibility to ensure clean air, healthy land, and safe water for future generations. He noted that this action supports domestic industry under conditions that protect current and future drinking water sources.
The Lisbon Valley Copper Mine expansion falls under Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST-41) Act. This designation streamlines permitting by improving coordination among federal agencies through increased transparency.
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), EPA regulations aim to prevent underground injections that could endanger potential drinking water sources. However, exemptions can be made if specific criteria are met demonstrating lack of drinking water potential in certain aquifers.
Information from this article can be found here.
