/ Why Copper Matters

Why Copper Matters

Copper is needed to meet clean energy goals, bolster supply chain resiliency and boost national security. Copper is also integral to everyday society, as it is used in virtually every electronic device made today, including the one you’re using to read this text. Copper is also used in plumbing to keep clean water flowing free of toxins and wiring to maintain comfortably warm and cool climates indoors.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal needs copper to achieve its big goals, as the law has called for the following:

  • 250,000 electric vehicle charging stations – requires ~10 million pounds of copper
  • $2.5 billion for low-emission vehicles – requires ~6 million pounds of copper
  • $2.5 billion for electric school buses – requires ~3 million pounds of copper
  • $15 billion for lead service line replacement – requires ~53-93 million pounds of copper

Copper is also known for its antimicrobial benefits. Copper saves lives and money by killing harmful bacteria. Antimicrobial copper surfaces help reduce the spread of germs and infection by 80%. Copper surfaces can also reduce infection rates by more than 50%. That’s why more hospitals are installing copper surfaces every day around the world.

Put simply – we need copper. With estimates for global copper demand from wind, solar, electric vehicles and battery applications expected to increase by 600%-900% by 2030, it is critical that projects like Resolution Copper are approved to bolster the United States’ copper supply.

Resources

Our Work

Teamwork Powers 46 Level Upgrade

Deep underground at Resolution Copper, crews recently completed a major upgrade to the 46 Level pump station, modernizing a critical system that helps manage water in the mine's underground workings.

A Decade of Showing Up

Since 2016, Resolution Copper has invested more than $20 million through more than 900 partnerships supporting rural Arizona communities.Those partnerships span education, health and wellbeing, culture and heritage, environmental stewardship, business development, recreation and community economic development.

More Than a Game: How Baseball Became a Classroom

Since 2012, Resolution Copper and the Arizona Diamondbacks have worked together to create opportunities for Arizona youth, educators and communities. What started with Science of Baseball has grown into teacher workshops, hands-on STEM experiences, youth baseball clinics, Tribal youth programming and community recreation.

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.

From Trails to Roadsides: Stewardship in Action

There are plenty of things you might expect to see during a day at Resolution Copper. Engineers solving problems. Teams working underground. People in meetings. Hard hats, high-vis and plenty of equipment.

Home Again: Mike’s Story

A Superior native reflects on leaving home, coming back and building a career close to the place that shaped him. Growing up in Superior, Arizona, Mike spent his afternoons coming home from school, jumping on his dirt bike and heading straight into the desert.

The Descent: What It’s Like Traveling Nearly 7,000 Ft. Underground

From the surface, 7,000 ft. is hard to picture. It is just a number until you walk toward the shaft, pass beneath the headframe and reach the collar, where the scale starts to come into focus. The opening drops below, surrounded by steel, hoisting equipment and the systems that move people safely between the surface and the underground workings.

Testing What Matters Most: How One Team Helped Make Underground Refuge Chambers Even Safer

When people think about mine safety, they often picture hard hats, reflective clothing and safety inspections. Those are all important, but some of the most important safety work happens long before an emergency occurs, through planning, testing and preparation.

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.