Resolution Copper has awarded approximately $110 million in contracts to Major Drilling America Inc and Redpath USA Corporation to advance exploration and underground development at the proposed Resolution Copper mine in Arizona.
The contracts represent major early commitments under the approximately $500 million investment program announced following completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) process, Record of Decision and congressionally mandated land exchange earlier this year.
Major Drilling America has been awarded contracts over two-and-a-half years to undertake deep-hole directional diamond core drilling from the surface and from approximately 6,800 feet (2,073 m) underground to continue exploration of the Resolution Copper orebody.
The program will mobilise four of the world’s largest and highest-capacity surface core drilling rigs, designed for deep mineral exploration in hard-rock environments, Resolution Copper, a joint venture owned by Rio Tinto (55%) and BHP (45%), says . Two LF™350 rigs have already arrived at the Resolution Copper site, while two next-generation LF300 rigs are being manufactured for delivery by the end of the year.
The rigs from Utah-based Boart Longyear incorporate advanced safety technology, including remote-controlled drilling and mechanised rod handling (with the FREEDOM Loader), helping keep employees separated from moving mechanical equipment, Resolution says.
Resolution Copper has also awarded contracts to Redpath to begin the first phase of underground development. The work will convert two existing 7,000-ft (2,133.7 m)-deep shafts from sinking to development configuration and install new structural steel and underground infrastructure.
Redpath will also develop a new mine station approximately 6,800 ft below ground, including around 1,500 ft of tunnels, truck and drill bays, a maintenance shop and supporting infrastructure. New underground equipment will include a production drill and two Caterpillar loaders procured through Empire CAT in Mesa, Arizona.
Vicky Peacey, President and General Manager of Resolution Copper, said: “Federal action is translating into tangible progress at Resolution Copper. Completion of the FEIS process and land exchange has enabled us to move quickly into this next phase, with approximately $110 million in contracts now awarded to American companies for drilling and underground development. This is a major early commitment within our broader $500 million investment program, and we appreciate the Trump Administration prioritising domestic mineral development and helping move this nationally significant project forward.
“Resolution has the potential to supply up to 25% of America’s copper demand for decades. Rio Tinto’s existing Kennecott copper smelter and refinery in Utah could also provide a pathway to process Resolution copper concentrate in the United States, subject to technical, commercial and permitting considerations. Together, these assets could help establish a secure American mine-to-metal supply chain supporting the power grid, advanced manufacturing, data centres and national security.”
The work is expected to support 100 new full-time Resolution Copper jobs and help build the specialised workforce needed to safely develop, operate and maintain a deep underground mine. Recruitment is underway for the first 50 roles, spanning geology, electrical and mechanical trades, instrumentation, engineering, hydrogeology, supervision and core handling, alongside entry-level apprenticeships in geology, geotechnical and mining disciplines. A further 50 full-time Resolution Copper roles are expected to be advertised over the next six months.
Resolution Copper will continue advancing engineering, state permitting, Tribal and community engagement and other enabling work. Environmental stewardship will remain embedded at every stage of project development, from planning and design through operations, closure and reclamation. A final investment decision remains subject to further data collection, state permits and partner approvals.
To date, more than $2 billion has been spent to develop and permit the project, including reclamation of the historic Magma Copper Mine site, sinking a second shaft to mining depth, rehabilitating an existing shaft and deepening to mining depth, extensive drilling and orebody testing, and the federal approval and public engagement process.