Plans for Rio Tinto and BHP to develop one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper mines has taken a major step forward.
This comes after the US Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal challenging the Resolution copper project in Arizona.
The move clears a major obstacle for Rio Tinto and BHP to proceed with the long-awaited development, which promises to bolster America’s energy independence and infrastructure while delivering economic benefits to local communities.
Resolution Copper is a joint venture between Rio Tinto (55 per cent) and BHP (45 per cent), with Rio operating the project.
The companies have already invested over $2 billion into the project, located in Arizona’s Copper Triangle, without yet producing any copper.
The scale of the operation is immense, boasting a deposit containing more than 18.1 million tonnes of copper, enough to meet up to 25 per cent of future US copper demand.
Rio looks to use a caving technique at Resolution to extract the deposit that lies more than 2000m deep. This method, which uses gravity to help extract ore, is the most viable way to recover the resource.
Once operational, the mine is expected to become the largest copper producer in North America and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs over its multi-decade life.
“The Resolution Copper mine is vital to securing America’s energy future, infrastructure needs and national defense,” Rio Tinto Resolution Copper president and general manager Vicky Peacey said.
With the Supreme Court’s decision, the US Government is expected to resume steps to finalise the land swap, including the publication of a revised environmental impact statement.
Rio Tinto and BHP have pledged to continue engaging with Native American tribes and other stakeholders as development advances, emphasising their commitment to cultural respect and environmental stewardship.
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