Environmental Documents Released for Arizona Copper Project Progress
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced a major step forward for the Resolution Copper Project in Arizona.
The U.S. Forest Service has officially posted the final environmental impact statement and a draft record of decision, advancing the copper mining initiative.
These documents, now available on the Tonto National Forest website, are a critical requirement from the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act. The project involves the transfer of federal land to Resolution Copper LLC to enable the development of an underground copper mine.
Although progress is underway, a federal court ruling on June 9 delays the land transfer until August 19, 2025, or 60 days after the official Federal Register notice. The final statement will be posted in the Federal Register on June 20.
The proposed mine is projected to create 1,500 jobs, generate $149 million in wages annually, and contribute between $80 to $120 million in state and local taxes. It’s also expected to deliver $200 million per year to the federal government.
“The Resolution Copper Project is a prime example of how we can harness America’s abundant resources to fuel growth in rural America, reduce our dependence on foreign imports, strengthen our supply chains, and enhance our national security,” said Secretary Rollins.
The project supports federal efforts to boost domestic mineral production, reduce foreign reliance, and protect national energy ventures.
Stakeholders can access the environmental documents and updates online at www.resolutionmineeis.us.