Rio Tinto targets mid-2030s for Arizona copper mine opening
2026-03-27
Rio Tinto has set a target of the mid-2030s for the commencement of operations at its Resolution Copper mine in Arizona, a project poised to significantly bolster US domestic copper supply. This key development follows the resolution of a prolonged land dispute and coincides with Rio Tinto's initiation of a substantial $500 million drilling program to unlock previously inaccessible sections of the deposit. However, the path forward includes challenges, particularly concerning domestic smelting capacity, which may necessitate exporting a portion of the copper concentrate.
