Ciscomani Hosts DOI Secretary Doug Burgum and Holds Roundtable with Local Leadership

Tucson, AZ - Congressman Juan Ciscomani hosted Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in Arizona's Sixth Congressional District today, touring the University of Arizona's San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory, hearing from mining, ranching, and water stakeholders in a roundtable discussion, and visiting Saguaro National Park East. Secretary Burgum is the third Cabinet member to visit AZ-06 recently, following Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas Collins and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

This visit gave Congressman Ciscomani an opportunity to show Secretary Burgum what makes southeastern Arizona so unique - from mining to our beautiful landscapes.

"Arizona's Sixth District is one of the most unique and important regions in the country, and I was proud to welcome Secretary Burgum to Southern Arizona to see that firsthand. Our district is home to world-class innovation at the University of Arizona, a strong and growing mining and agriculture economy, and some of the most beautiful and significant natural landscapes in the West. We also understand better than most that in Arizona, water is not just a policy issue - it is foundational to our future.

I appreciated the opportunity to share directly with Secretary Burgum the work being done by local leaders, stakeholders, and institutions like the University of Arizona to advance water conservation, strengthen resource management, and support long-term growth in our region. We had a productive conversation about the importance of protecting our natural resources while making sure Southern Arizona has the tools and federal partnership needed to meet our water challenges and continue thriving. I'm grateful he took the time to visit and hear directly from our community," Ciscomani said.

"Critical minerals are woven into nearly every aspect of American life, from the devices we rely on to the infrastructure that powers our economy," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "Under President Donald J. Trump, we are unleashing our critical mineral resources to put the American people first - strengthening national security, securing supply chain independence and ensuring we can meet the demands of the future with confidence and resilience. Today's visit with Congressman Ciscomani underscores that commitment to expanding mining in the United States and reducing costs for American families."

After touring the University of Arizona School of Mines, Congressman Ciscomani hosted a roundtable with Secretary Burgum and local leaders to discuss issues including critical minerals, water, cattle, public lands, and mining.

Participants included:

• Doug Burgum, Department of the Interior Secretary
• Karen Budd-Falen, Department of the Interior Associate Deputy Secretary
• Ben Menges, Local Rancher, Graham/Greenlee Farm Bureau
• Jim Chilton, Local Rancher, Southern Arizona Cattlemen's Protective Association
• Suresh Garimella, University of Arizona President
• Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, University of Arizona Senior Vice President for Research and Partnerships
• Kray Luxbacher, University of Arizona Department of Mining and Geological Engineering Executive Director
• Steve Trussell, Arizona Mining Association Executive Director
• Pat Risner, South32 President
• Kathleen Quirk, Freeport-McMoran CEO
• Jason Fletcher, Komatsu SVP Mining Technology
• Brenda Burman, Central Arizona Water Conservation District General Manager
• James Werner, San Xavier Mine Lab Director at the University of Arizona
• David Hahn, University of Arizona College of Engineering Dean
• Jerry Bustamante, Hudbay Sr. Manager of Public Affairs for Hudbay Minerals U.S. Business Unit
• Rob Taylor, Salt River Project Chief Advocacy Officer and Associate General Manager

"It was an honor to host Secretary Doug Burgum and Congressman Juan Ciscomani at the University of Arizona's San Xavier Mine," said University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella. "The University of Arizona is proud to prepare students across disciplines in partnership with leading companies and advance the research, innovation and expertise needed to strengthen America's leadership in critical minerals and mining."

During the roundtable, Congressman Ciscomani highlighted the unique agricultural and water needs of southeastern Arizona, including designating copper as a critical mineral under the Critical Mineral Consistency Act and continued use of the Colorado River, as the Congressman urged Secretary Burgum in a February letter.

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