Resolution Copper Project

delayed

The Resolution Copper Project is a large underground copper mining project located near Superior, Arizona. It targets a deep porphyry copper deposit with resource estimates exceeding 1.6-1.7 billion tonnes at approximately 1.5% copper grade. The project aims to produce about 40 billion pounds of copper over a 40-year lifespan, potentially supplying up to 25% of US copper demand. The project faces significant regulatory, environmental, and indigenous cultural challenges, including a required land exchange with the federal government and opposition due to the impact on the culturally significant Oak Flat area. The mining method proposed is block caving, involving extensive infrastructure development and complex technical challenges due to the depth of the deposit. The project has experienced continuous delays due to regulatory hurdles and legal challenges, with the latest setback being a temporary block on the land transfer by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in August 2025.