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Representatives from Resolution Copper were in attendance at last week’s Miami-Globe Chamber of Commerce luncheon to address chamber members and provide an update on the company’s mining project in Superior, Arizona.
Andrew Taplin, Project Director for Resolution Copper Company, began his presentation by outlining Resolution’s continuing efforts to be a good neighbor and remaining involved with the communities in Gila County.
Some of Resolution’s contributions include working with the city of Globe, providing support for water structure. The copper company made financial contributions as well, spending $20,000 over a three year period to sponsor the first Robotics Program at Globe High School, $3,000 in scholarships to qualified graduates at Globe, Miami, and San Carlos high schools. In 2013, the company provided $50,000 in funding to support area projects such as the renovations at Bullion Plaza, Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center, and the Gila Country Gem and Mineral Show.
So far, in 2014, Resolution has provided support to the Gila Community Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, the Miami Genesis River Walk, and the Regional Aquatic Center Task Force. The mining company is also making attempts to assist with reviving the Copper Spike Railroad.
The majority of Resolution’s presentation was dedicated to the mining project, the development of one of the largest undeveloped copper resources in the world. The project, in the area of the former Magma Copper Mine, reached a few milestones over the past year, according to Taplin.
In November 2013, Resolution filed its Mine Plan of Operations with the U.S. Forest Service. Upon reviewing the plan, the Forest Service will release the modified plan for public review and comments as required by the National Environmental Policy Act.
The Project’s No. 10 Shaft is just over 100 feet from its target depth. Over the next few years, the No. 9 Shaft will complete a pump level to continue to sink the shaft and advance work to gather geological, geotechnical, and hydrological data. This data is necessary for the design of the mine and baseline study and is an important step in creating long-term jobs.
“We’ve spent $1 billion dollars, to date, on development or studies associated with the project,” said Taplin, addressing a question about expenditures for the project. “We estimate that we need to spend another billion dollars before we can go back to headquarters with all the studies and paperwork to say, ‘we’re ready to proceed with construction.’”
Taplin estimates it will cost $12 million dollars to start construction – to build the mine.
A chamber member asked Taplin if Resolution Copper, or any of the other mining companies, had a feel for how much more mining could be done in this region of the country.
“There is still good copper in this region,” Taplin answered. “The challenge is that it is much more difficult to access than what it has been in the past.”
“Copper mines in the Copper Corridor that have been exploited over the years have been a lot closer to the surface than those we are dealing with at the moment.”
According to Resolution Copper’s website, the deposit lies nearly 7,000 feet deep beneath the earth’s surface.
Taplin said the company is committed to keep the surrounding communities updated and informed about the project. He announced a public meeting will be held on September 25, 2014, at Superior High School from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. The meeting will include a facilitated community feedback session to gain additional insight about the project.
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