Matt Black
Title
Patagonia, AZ, Year
Joni Clark Stellar, Board Chair, of the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance, a grassroots community group opposing South32’s Hermosa mine project, a new manganese and zinc mine in southern Arizona.
Becky and John Ball's home sits within the area of impact from South32’s Hermosa mine project. She fears losing her water supply from the mine's "dewatering" operations.
The US / Mexico border bisects the San Rafael Valley in southern Arizona.
The San Rafael Valley, a natural area known for its abundant wildlife, is considered threatened by impacts from South32’s Hermosa project, a new manganese and zinc mine in southern Arizona.
The San Rafael Valley, a natural area known for its abundant wildlife, is considered threatened by local residents by impacts from South32’s Hermosa project, a new manganese and zinc mine in southern Arizona.
Water tanks supplying exploratory drilling near South32’s Hermosa project, a new manganese and zinc mine in southern Arizona.
Notes in the barn at Bob Paulsen's and Lorrie Larsen's home. South32’s Hermosa project, a new manganese and zinc mine, is being installed nearby, threatening their groundwater supply.
Becky Ball's home sits within the area of impact from South32’s Hermosa mine project. She fears losing her water supply from the mine's "dewatering" operations.
A defunct ranch in southern Arizona's San Rafael Valley.
The US / Mexico border bisects the San Rafael Valley in southern Arizona.
The Patagonia Mountains, a small range only 15 miles long, are one of Southern Arizona's "Sky Islands," patches of rich biodiversity rising above the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts.
Contaminated water lines the Lavender Pit, a decommissioned open pit copper mine in southern Arizona.
Chris Gardner tests the water at the well of Susan Wethington, which has become contaminated. She believes the contamination is a result of new activity upstream from her home at South32’s Hermosa mine project, a new manganese and zinc mine in southern Arizona.
Chris Gardner tests the water at the well of Susan Wethington, which has become contaminated. She believes the contamination is a result of new activity upstream from her home at South32’s Hermosa mine project, a new manganese and zinc mine in southern Arizona.
Susan Wethington is living without running water after her well became contaminated. She believes the contamination is a result of new activity upstream from her home at South32’s Hermosa mine project, a new manganese and zinc mine in southern Arizona.
Susan Wethington is living without running water after her well became contaminated. She believes the contamination is a result of new activity upstream from her home at South32’s Hermosa mine project, a new manganese and zinc mine in southern Arizona.
Nancy Coyote in her home in the Patagonia Mountains near South32's Hermosa mine project, a new manganese and zinc mine that residents fear will have multiple health impacts.
Pasture.
John Nordstrom at a historic abandoned mine near his home in southern Arizona. South32’s Hermosa project, a new manganese and zinc mine, is being installed nearby, threatening his groundwater supply.
Vanessa Register keeps horses at her home in southern Arizona. South32’s Hermosa project, a new manganese and zinc mine, is being installed nearby, threatening her groundwater supply.
Mining trucks crowd the access road to South32’s Hermosa mine project, a new manganese and zinc mine in southern Arizona.
A ram at the home of Bob Paulsen and Lorrie Larsen. South32’s Hermosa project, a new manganese and zinc mine, is being installed nearby, threatening their groundwater supply.
Jawbones line a fence.
Downed pillars.
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The Patagonia Area Resource Alliance (PARA) is a grassroots nonprofit in Patagonia, Arizona, dedicated to protecting local ecosystems, water, and biodiversity from the impacts of industrial mining. Since 2011, it has acted as a citizen watchdog, holding agencies accountable, opposing projects like the Hermosa mine, and partnering with local groups to advocate for sustainable development and the preservation of public lands. Matt Black is a documentary photographer from California’s Central Valley whose work explores poverty, migration, and environmental crisis. A Magnum member since 2019, his American Geography project and other work have earned honors from the W. Eugene Smith Fund, RFK Awards, and National Geographic.