According to Mining.com, Rio Tinto has approved a $144 million investment to advance its Resolution copper project in Arizona, one of the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the United States. The project secured control of the land required for development several months ago.
The funding will support feasibility studies, as well as engineering work for mining equipment and water treatment facilities. Rio Tinto holds a 55% stake in the project and will contribute $79 million, while BHP owns the remaining 45%.
The next phase of work is expected to create approximately 50 additional jobs.
“Resolution Copper has the potential to supply 25% of US copper demand, strengthening domestic supply chains and delivering significant economic benefits to Arizona,” said Katie Jackson, CEO of Rio Tinto.
The investment highlights Rio Tinto’s increasing focus on copper as demand for the metal grows, driven by electricity grids, electrification and artificial intelligence infrastructure. It also represents another step in US efforts to strengthen critical mineral supply chains and expand domestic production.
Legal Challenges
The decision follows the transfer of the land required for the mine from federal ownership after a lengthy legal dispute. The controversy has primarily involved opposition from members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, who argue that the project could affect Oak Flat, a sacred site of cultural and religious significance to the Apache people.
Although Rio Tinto has secured control of the area, the dispute highlights the challenges of balancing mineral development with the protection of Indigenous cultural and religious heritage.
Located near Superior, Arizona, the copper deposit lies approximately 5,000 to 7,000 feet (1,524–2,134 metres) underground.
Rio Tinto aims to bring the project into production in the mid-2030s, although further studies and regulatory approvals are still required.
The project is estimated to contain approximately 40 billion pounds (18.1 million tonnes) of copper, providing the potential for several decades of mining operations.
Development Outlook
The latest investment commitment builds on a $110 million contract awarded by Resolution Copper in August for exploration and underground development work.
As global copper demand increases, Rio Tinto, the world’s largest iron ore producer, continues to expand its copper business. Strong growth in copper revenue has helped boost the company’s first-half profits, highlighting the metal’s growing importance to Rio Tinto’s long-term growth strategy.
The joint venture expects the Resolution project to create thousands of jobs once operational and generate approximately $1 billion in annual economic benefits for Arizona.
However, the project’s enormous scale, technical complexity and prolonged legal disputes remain significant obstacles. Developing a deposit at such depths will require substantial infrastructure investment and considerable capital before commercial production can begin.
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