Donald Trump has labelled opponents of a huge copper project in Arizona as “anti-American” after meeting leaders of two of the world’s biggest mining groups at the White House following a new delay to the development.
Mike Henry, BHP chief executive, and Jakob Stausholm and Simon Trott, the outgoing and incoming chief executives of Rio Tinto, were at the White House on Tuesday to discuss their Resolution Copper joint venture and the Trump administration’s broader strategy on critical minerals.
A land exchange that would pave the way for the Arizona mine was due to take place this week, but an appeals court on Monday placed a temporary injunction on the transfer.