Arizona & Copper

Arizona has a diverse cultural history, especially here in the Copper Triangle. Mining and ranching have been an integral part of this community for more than 100 years, and the area is home to many federally recognized tribes and to the places where they have historic and cultural ties.

Our project helps generate social and economic benefits for local communities while working towards a mining operation that will produce up to 25% of the U.S. demand. Copper is a cornerstone of Arizona’s history and economy. Since 1910, the state has been the nation’s leading producer of copper. Today, 68% of all the copper produced in the U.S. comes from Arizona. The copper star at the Arizona flag center highlights the industry’s importance to the Grand Canyon state.

Copper’s impact on Arizona*

  • $6.9 billion worth of minerals produced (2019)
  • Jobs for 39,000 Arizonans (2018)
  • $102,859 average annual industry wage (2017)
  • $1.2 billion direct payrolls to Arizona workers (2018)

*The University of Arizona, Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources

The Copper Triangle

There is no doubt that mining changes the landscape. We’re committed to protecting the land and surrounding area while we operate and after mining is complete.

Since 1863, when prospector Jacob Waltz laid claim to gold in a patch of Arizona desert just 60 miles east of Phoenix’s burgeoning city, the Pioneer Mining District has been at the heart of the state’s mining industry.

While Waltz’s claim continues to draw people searching for his legendary “Lost Dutchman’s Mine,” mining in the district began in 1875, when the King Mine began pulling silver out of the ground.

In 1912, the Magma Copper Mine started up, an operation that continued through the mid-1990s, built the nearby town of Superior and came to define the Pioneer District and its rich stores of copper.

Today, the Resolution Copper team is cleaning up this historic mining site and developing a plan in consultation with the community and other stakeholders to safely develop copper that lies nearly a mile beneath the surface of the original Magma Mine.

Our Work

Resolution Copper Names Victoria Peacey As President and General Manager

A longtime copper and mining industry veteran who has served as acting Project Director since the summer, Peacey has held a number of leadership roles at

Arizona Mining Association Awards Resolution Copper 2022 SPADE Award

The Arizona Mining Association (AMA) awarded Resolution Copper the 2022 Sustainability, Preservation, and Diversity in the Environment Award (SPADE) for Public Education.

9th Circuit Ruling Statement

We understand that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has decided to rehear the case brought by Apache Stronghold. We respect the legal process and will await the 9th Circuit Court's decision.

Resolution Copper Receives Rocky Mountain Mining Institute Safety Award

Resolution Copper accepted the Rocky Mountain Mining Institute’s (RMMI) 2022 Safety Award for Small Underground Mine.

Ninth Circuit Ruling Statement

Resolution Copper notes the 9th Circuit’s decision to uphold the lower court ruling denying the request for injunctive relief. Over the past 11 years, the U.S. Forest Service has shaped the Resolution Copper project through a rigorous, independent review under the National Environmental Policy Act,

Resolution Copper partners with the University of Arizona on Reclamation

Resolution Copper has partnered with The University of Arizona since 2014 on research of revegetation methods for mining reclamation purposes

National Transportation Week: A Reminder of Our Rare Mineral Needs

Last week the U.S. recognized National Transportation Week, a time dedicated to the appreciation of our nation’s key infrastructure

Understanding of a Unique Native Plant Species in Arizona

At Resolution Copper, we take special care to proactively minimize environmental impacts of the project and we do that in consultation

Vandalism at Oak Flat

A member of the Resolution Copper team discovered that a number of crosses located at the Oak Flat Campground had been removed from their place and left on site. We are dismayed by this disrespectful act and have notified the U.S. Forest Service of the incident.