Unfinished Business: The Tragic Death of Deborah Ham, a Fighter Against Copper Mining

Deborah Ham was a force to be reckoned with in the small town of Globe, Arizona. As a country lawyer with a passion for justice, she dedicated her life to fighting against the copper mining industry that threatened the environment and the local community. Her untimely death at the age of 60 left many wondering what could have been if only she had lived to see her unfinished business come to fruition.

Ham's crusade began when a Canadian mining company purchased the Carlota Mine in 1991, announcing plans to dig a massive pit in Pinto Creek and construct an acid-tainted waste dump nearby. The local community was outraged, and Ham, with her single-minded determination, took on the mantle of leadership for the protest group, Citizens for the Preservation of Powers Gulch and Pinto Creek.

Despite her growing reputation as an environmentalist, Ham refused to be pigeonholed into a specific category. She saw herself as a champion of justice, fighting against the corporate interests that sought to exploit the land and its inhabitants. Her tireless efforts helped stall the mine project, earning her the enmity of the mining community in Miami and Globe.

In December 1992, Ham filed suit in federal court against the U.S. Forest Service, seeking an injunction to prevent them from authorizing any work on the Carlota Mine. It was a bold move, one that showed just how far she was willing to go to protect her beloved Pinto Creek.

Tragically, Ham's life was cut short when she died suddenly of a stroke in May 1993. She had been in good health and had shown no signs of any underlying medical condition. Her sudden passing left the community reeling, with many wondering what could have been if only she had lived to see her unfinished business come to fruition.

Despite her untimely death, Deborah Ham's legacy lives on through the work she did to protect Pinto Creek and its surrounding environment. Her determination and unwavering commitment to justice inspired countless people in the small town of Globe, showing them that even one person can make a difference when fighting against powerful corporate interests. Her unfinished business may remain, but her spirit continues to inspire those who knew her and worked alongside her in the fight for environmental justice.

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