WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federally approved land exchange in Arizona will allow development of a major copper mine expected to create jobs and boost domestic mineral production, following a court decision that cleared the project to move forward.
What This Means for You
- A large U.S. copper supply could support energy, defense, and infrastructure projects
- The project is expected to create about 1,500 jobs and generate local tax revenue
- The decision follows a federal court ruling allowing the land transfer to proceed
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced it has completed the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and issued a final decision approving the Resolution Copper Project, a proposed underground mining operation near Superior, Arizona.
The project centers on copper, a critical material used in electric vehicles, power grids, renewable energy systems, and defense technologies.
Court Ruling Clears Legal Hurdle
The approval follows a March 13 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which allowed the land exchange to proceed by rejecting an effort to block it.
The court determined that the Forest Service had completed its required environmental review, known as an environmental impact statement—a detailed federal analysis of how a project may affect land, water, wildlife, and nearby communities.
With that requirement satisfied, the agency moved forward under a directive passed by Congress in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act, which authorized the land transfer to support the mining project.
What the Project Includes
The Resolution Copper project involves building an underground mine about 60 miles east of Phoenix. The plan also includes supporting infrastructure on federal land, such as power lines and pipelines needed for mining operations.
The Forest Service said the approval includes permits for these additional facilities and confirms the agency met federal requirements for environmental review and land valuation.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said the project would expand domestic mineral production and reduce reliance on foreign sources.
“Completing this land exchange unlocks a major domestic source of copper, essential for defense, grid modernization, and next-generation energy,” Rollins said.
Economic Impact and National Goals
Federal officials say the mine is expected to create roughly 1,500 jobs and generate about $149 million in annual wages.
The project is also projected to produce between $80 million and $120 million annually in state and local tax revenue, along with an estimated $200 million per year in federal revenue.
The approval aligns with federal policies aimed at increasing domestic production of critical minerals—materials considered essential for national security and economic stability.
Next Steps
With the final decision issued, the land exchange is complete and the project can move into development phases, subject to additional permitting and construction timelines.
Project documents, including the environmental review and final decision, are available at www.resolutionmineeis.us.
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