Stewardship Starts Here | Stephen’s Story

Stephen learned early in life that taking care of the environment matters. His father spent his career working in renewable energy and taught him the importance of respecting the earth and preserving it for future generations. Those lessons stuck.

Today, Stephen brings that same mindset to his role as Senior Environmental Advisor at Resolution Copper. “My father taught me to respect Mother Earth and sustain it for future generations. That pretty much drives everything I do.”

For over four years, Stephen has worked to help ensure Resolution Copper meets environmental requirements while continuously looking for opportunities to improve. And that’s the part he enjoys most. Finding ways to make good programs even better.

“When I bring an idea forward, they don’t push back. They say, ‘Run with it.’ That support has helped Stephen turn several ideas into reality.

After reviewing site waste management practices, he identified opportunities to expand recycling efforts. Since then, Resolution Copper has implemented recycling programs for wood and tires that previously would have gone to landfills. Today, those materials are being recycled and reused.

Stephen also helped introduce dual trash and recycling receptacles across site, making it easier for employees to separate recyclable materials from everyday waste. It’s a simple change. But simple changes add up.

Looking Beyond Compliance

For Stephen, environmental stewardship is about more than meeting requirements. It’s about continuous improvement.

That philosophy aligns closely with Resolution Copper’s approach to environmental stewardship. We believe environmental management starts long before mining begins and continues through every stage of a project’s life cycle, including planning, operations, closure, and reclamation. We focus on understanding potential impacts, reducing them where possible, and continually improving how we work.

Stephen is proud of ongoing efforts to restore areas affected by legacy mining activity and improve habitat conditions across the region. One example is the removal of invasive fountain grass, which helps create space for native plants and wildlife to return. “It’s about restoring the land to how it’s supposed to be.”

The work reflects a larger commitment to land stewardship and restoration. Over the years, Resolution Copper has invested in reclamation efforts across former mining areas, helping restore hundreds of acres with native vegetation and creating conditions that support wildlife habitat.

Why It Matters

For Stephen, that work helps challenge a common misconception. Many people assume mining and environmental stewardship are at odds with one another. His experience tells a different story. “People assume mining and environmental stewardship don’t go hand in hand. But here at Resolution Copper, they do.”

He believes responsible copper production and environmental stewardship can work together. To Stephen, Arizona is home. “This mining operation is in my backyard, and I wouldn’t want to work for a mining company that didn’t care about the environment as much as Resolution Copper does.”

One Idea At A Time

Ask Stephen what keeps him motivated and the answer is simple. Continuous improvement. Finding better ways to do things. Helping good ideas become reality. And leaving things better than he found them. His story is a reminder that environmental stewardship isn’t owned by one department or one team. It’s built by people who care enough to ask questions, look for solutions, and take action. Watch his story now.

Want to learn more?

Explore our Environmental Stewardship page to learn how we plan for environmental protection, reclamation, habitat restoration, and long-term stewardship throughout the life of the project.

You can also learn more about our approach to water stewardship, including how we manage water resources responsibly, reduce impacts where possible, and plan for Arizona’s future.