Trump-Backed Copper Project Accelerates Toward Approval

By Matthew Holloway |

The Resolution Copper project, a collaboration between BHP and Rio Tinto, has expressed support for the U.S. Forest Service’s republication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for its underground mine proposal. Located 60 miles east of Phoenix, near Superior, AZ, this project targets what is deemed the largest untapped copper deposit in the world.

The development hinges on a significant land-swap involving Rio Tinto, BHP, and federal and state governments. Initially published in 2021, the FEIS was retracted to allow further evaluation of concerns raised by tribal governments and local communities.

Controversy surrounds the project, which aims to transform the Oak Flat area into a massive crater, approximately 1.8 miles wide and up to 1,115 feet deep. In exchange, 6,005 acres of land will be allocated to BHP and Rio Tinto from local, state, and federal entities.

Resolution Copper has outlined commitments for cultural preservation, economic development, and environmental restoration as part of the land exchange. This includes funding a long-term Native American Trust Fund and initiatives focused on restoring local watersheds and enhancing biodiversity.

Vicky Peacey, General Manager of Resolution Copper, highlighted the company’s efforts to foster partnerships with local communities and Native American tribes. “Through this process, we have deepened our relationships with local communities,” she stated. Peacey emphasized the potential for the mining project to coexist with cultural heritage and nature while bringing economic benefits to rural Arizona.

In social media posts, Resolution Copper claimed the project could inject $1.2 billion into Arizona’s economy, creating thousands of jobs and generating $270 million in annual salaries.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins expressed support for the project, framing it as a vital step toward mineral independence and economic growth in rural America. The U.S. Department of Agriculture noted that the land transfer cannot proceed until August 19, 2025, due to a U.S. District Court ruling. If approved, the mine could generate an estimated $149 million in annual payroll and $200 million for the federal government each year.

The public has 45 days to object to the decision once the final environmental impact statement is published in the Federal Register, expected on June 20. The U.S. Forest Service will then have 90 days to address any objections, with final approval potentially occurring by November 2.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.