Judge: Mining Company Can’t Argue It Didn’t Forfeit Its Water Rights

(March 10, 2020, 11:16 AM EDT) -- TUCSON, Ariz. — An Arizona federal judge on March 5 collaterally estopped a mining company from arguing that it had not forfeited its rights under a water decree and ruled alternatively that the company forfeited its water rights by admitting to nonuse of the water for more than five years (Gila River Indian Community v. Freeport Minerals Corporation, No. 17-626, D. Ariz., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 39426)....