/ Economic Benefits

Economic Benefits

Resolution Copper is expected to deliver long‑term economic benefits to nearby communities and across Arizona through job creation, local spending, and tax revenue over the project’s expected 60‑year lifespan.

So what does that mean for Arizona? Here’s a closer look.

Job Creation

Resolution Copper is more than a mine. Today, it is a growing workforce supporting planning, permitting, and early development of a project designed to supply nearly 25% of U.S. copper demand, strengthening domestic access to a critical mineral used in everyday life.

Once fully operational, the project is expected to:

  • Directly employ approximately 1,500 workers, including strong‑paying union jobs
  • Generate about $134 million per year in direct wages and benefits

Local hiring is a priority. More than 90% of the current workforce, including employees and contractors, lives within 40 miles of the project site.

In addition, the project is expected to support approximately 2,200 indirect jobs, with an estimated $136 million in annual compensation. At full production, Resolution Copper could support about 3,700 total jobs and $270 million per year in combined compensation.

Economic Impact and Local Spending

Independent studies indicate that Resolution Copper could generate up to $61 billion in economic value for Arizona over the life of the project.

The project is also expected to:

  • Contribute $88 million to $113 million per year in state and local tax revenue
  • Generate approximately $200 million per year in federal tax revenue

Resolution Copper is a major purchaser of local goods and services, spending roughly $546 million per year with local businesses.

Investing in Communities

Since 2016, Resolution Copper has contributed more than $20 million to hundreds of local initiatives across education, environmental programs, community development, arts, and culture. These investments are modeled to support long‑term community strength alongside economic growth.

Resources

Creating Local Jobs

Our Work

Copper Strong: April Community Impact Across Arizona

Across Arizona, students explored future careers, volunteers served neighbors in need, families gathered at community events, and local partnerships continued creating real impact.

Resolution Copper employee Bryan Seppala awarded 2026 AAED Member of the Year

The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) honored Resolution Copper employee Bryan Seppala, AZED Pro, with the prestigious Member of the Year award.

New Water Recycling System Reduces Annual Use by One Million Gallons

A new Potable Water Recycling System is now operating on site, reducing water use by an estimated one million gallons per year. The system captures clean analyzer water and returns it to the plant for reuse, replacing water that was previously discharged onto the ground.

Reflecting on His Past, Bryan Mines a New Future

Bryan’s family is no stranger to mining. Born and raised in Globe, Bryan grew up watching his father and uncles work at the Magma Copper Mine. The industry was volatile at the time, and Bryan’s father was laid off three different times. Wanting a more stable path for his son, Bryan’s father encouraged him to do anything else for a living. Bryan followed that advice and decided to enroll at the University of Arizona, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economic development.

Apache Owned Business to Manage Oak Flat Campground

Resolution Copper reaffirms that public access to the Oak Flat Campground, as well as to recreational roads and climbing areas on private land in the Oak Flat area, will remain open for the foreseeable future following completion of a federal land exchange this month.

United States Forest Service and Resolution Copper Complete Land Exchange

The U.S. Forest Service and Resolution Copper, a joint venture owned by Rio Tinto and BHP that represents one of the world's most significant untapped copper deposits, have completed a Federal land exchange required to unlock the full potential of the project.

Eight Years of Emory Oak Restoration and Cultural Stewardship

Across Arizona’s National Forests, Emory oak trees and the restoration of their groves support far more than wildlife and shade. For Western Apache communities, these trees provide acorns that are central to food traditions, ceremonies, and cultural practices that stretch back generations.

Resolution Copper in the Community: 2025 Recap

If there’s one thing 2025 proved, it’s this: engaging with the community isn’t a side project for us. Across the Copper Triangle and surrounding communities, Resolution Copper showed up in hundreds of ways, big and small. Some days it looked like volunteers packing food bags. Other days it looked like robotics kits in classrooms, filling sandbags, or youth baseball teams taking the field.

$4.5M Invested in Local Communities in 2025

Together alongside local partners, we invested over 4.5 million dollars to support students, families, communities, small businesses, and the places we all care about in the Copper Triangle region. The year was full of real moments that changed lives in quiet, meaningful ways. A robotics team getting their first competition kit. Families picking up holiday meals with dignity and relief. Teachers gain new tools for hands-on learning