A judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the state’s decision to award a ground-water protection permit to Curis Resources for its planned copper mine in Florence.

The town of Florence, Pulte Homes and others sued last September, challenging the Department of Environmental Quality’s decision to award Curis Resources a temporary permit for testing for an underground copper peaching operation.

According to the Casa Grande Dispatch, the Feb. 16 ruling by Judge Arthur Anderson of Maricopa County Superior Court says the department acted within its authority under state law.