You don't seem to understand how mining claims work. The mining claims in question are the property of the mining company. At one time, domestic entities owned them, but they have found their way to this entity now. Heck, it's possible that at some point some old dude on a mule owned the claims. They get passed on and sold, just like any other property. The land swap at issue has nothing to do with giving one company or another the right to mine there. That's a non-issue. Only one owner can do it. Period. The land swap would allow for the facilities to be built on the surrounding surface, including roads, buildings, basic processing areas, etc.
Your assertion that an American company could be doing this mining if it could "outbid for McCain's support" would require that the property rights of the current owner be ignored. THAT's where you called for a taking.
As for "corporate welfare," 34a36b already did a great job explaining why the proposed swap is far from that. If you choose to ignore his informed and well-thought out comments, then that's your choice, but it doesn't give your response much credibility.
We got ripped off on the swap. Plain and simple. It's not even one chunk of land. It's little, isolated areas. But yeah.... great deal. For someone. They get 2400 acres worth hundreds of billions. We get the shaft.
The company owns the mining rights, that is it. They don't own the land. I never said ANYTHING about taking those claims from them. Ever.
I asked why an American company could not mine it. You answered, fair enough. Thats a good reason the American company cant mine it. Thank you. Has nothing to do with stripping their claim and giving it tosomeone else. Rio Tito did not have property rights. They have a mining claim.
The federal government would get 5,344 acres:
• 147 acres of the Turkey Creek parcel in Gila County
• 148 acres of the Tangle Creek parcel in Yavapai County
• 149 acres of the Cave Creek parcel in Maricopa County
• 640 acres of the East Clear Creek parcel in Coconino County
• 110 acres of the Apache Leap South End parcel in Pinal County
• 3,050 acres of the Lower San Pedro River lands in Pinal County
• 160 acres of the Dripping Springs area in Gila and Pinal counties
• 940 acres of the Appleton Ranch area in Santa Cruz County
