The U.S. Supreme Court gave a boost on Tuesday to plans for one of the world's largest copper mines, as the justices declined to hear a Native American group's bid based on religious rights to block Rio Tinto and BHP from gaining control of land in Arizona long used for Apache sacred rituals.

The court rejected an appeal by a Native American group that said the project would destroy an area where they have conducted religious ceremonies for centuries.

The Supreme Court declined to review a case from a coalition of Native American people, religious groups and others who say the planned mine will destroy a sacred site.