8 Billion Gallons Recycled: Our Commitment to Responsible Water Management
Since 2009, Resolution Copper has treated and provided more than 8 billion gallons of water for agricultural use in Arizona. It is a major milestone for a program that starts nearly 7,000 feet underground and ends in local farm fields.
As we prepare underground areas for future mining, water must be removed from the surrounding bedrock so work can take place safely. Resolution treats that water at our on-site water treatment plant, where it is continuously monitored to ensure it meets regulatory standards.
Today, we treat about 1.4 million gallons each day, or nearly 500 million gallons a year. Once treated, the water is sent to the New Magma Irrigation and Drainage District, where farmers use it to irrigate crops.
Why beneficial reuse matters
Water is a critical resource in Arizona, and finding ways to use it more than once matters. By using Resolution Copper’s treated water, farmers can reduce the amount of groundwater they need to pump for irrigation. That leaves more water in the ground and helps reduce pressure on groundwater supplies.
It is a practical partnership between two industries that depend on water: mining and agriculture. Water that must be removed from our underground workings is treated and put to another productive use rather than going to waste.
And that contribution has been steady. For more than 15 years, treated water from Resolution Copper has supported agricultural use in Arizona.
Planning for water use over the long term
Copper mining requires water to separate valuable minerals from rock, control dust, cool equipment and support other parts of the mining process. That makes responsible water management especially important in Arizona.
Our water use and water quality are regulated at the federal, state and local levels. Beyond meeting those requirements, Resolution Copper continues working to reduce water demand, reuse water where possible and plan ahead for future operations.
We have already stored enough water to support more than half of the mine’s expected operating life.
The project is also designed to use fewer gallons of water per pound of copper produced than any other mine currently operating in Arizona. Water-saving technology, recycling and reuse will all play a role in helping every gallon go further.
Monitoring with the community
Responsible water management also means being open about what we are seeing.
Since 2017, Resolution Copper has partnered with the local Community Working Group on a community monitoring program focused on groundwater and surface water quality surrounding the project area. Every quarter, groundwater samples are collected from locations around the project and sent to an independent laboratory for testing. The results provide another source of information for community members and help support ongoing discussion about local water conditions.
The goal is straightforward: share information, keep the process visible and give the community a way to participate in understanding water quality around the project.
By the numbers
- 8 billion+ gallons of treated water provided for agricultural use since 2009
- 4 million gallons treated each day
- Nearly 500 million gallons provided each year for agricultural use
- Up to 7,000 feet underground where we encounter the water that is treated
- Continuous monitoring to confirm treated water meets regulatory standards
- Quarterly community groundwater sampling with testing by an independent laboratory
- Less groundwater pumping when farmers use Resolution Copper’s treated water
Eight billion gallons is an important milestone, but responsible water management is long-term work. Resolution Copper continues looking for ways to reduce water use, increase recycling and reuse, and improve efficiency through technology. We also continue working with community groups and regulators to understand and protect a resource that supports communities, agriculture, wildlife and cultural resources across Arizona.
We know trust is earned through what we do and how openly we communicate about it. That means sharing the numbers, explaining the process and providing regular updates as the project moves forward.
Learn more about Resolution Copper’s approach to water recycling, conservation and monitoring at resolutioncopper.com.