THE COPPER WE NEED
MADE IN ARIZONA
COPPER WORLD will supply the copper that we use every day and the copper essential to powering our green energy future. Designed to deliver finished copper directly to U.S. customers, Copper World will help ensure a strong domestic supply to meet the needs of the American people. Copper World provides responsibly sourced copper for the technologies that enable our modern lifestyles, from smartphones to electric vehicles to space, and beyond.
Located 28 miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona, in the northern Santa Rita Mountains, Copper World will operate advanced processing facilities to produce copper and molybdenum concentrate. In the 5th year of operations, a planned expansion will enable local production of copper cathode and silver/gold doré. Situated in the historic Helvetia mining district, Copper World highlights Arizona’s rich mining heritage while contributing to a sustainable energy future and America’s national security.
Copper World is expected to generate significant benefits for the community and local economy in Arizona. As the fourth-largest copper producer listed on the NYSE with a majority of institutional shareholders based in the U.S., Hudbay will invest a total of $1.7 billion to construct Phase I of Copper World.
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE
FUTURE IN PHASES
HUDBAY has developed a phased approach for Copper World to responsibly meet the growing demand for copper in the United States.
Phase I will operate entirely on private land owned by Hudbay, requiring only state and local permits. This phase is planned for a 20-year mine life anticipated to produce an average of 85,000 metric tons of copper per year, positioning Copper World as one of the largest producers of copper in the United States. Hudbay expects to contribute more than $850 million in U.S. taxes, including approximately $170 million in taxes to the state of Arizona and $250 million in property taxes. It will also create more than 400 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs in Arizona.
Future opportunities in Phase II will extend the mine's life, fostering multi-generational job opportunities and enhancing long-term economic benefits for the region.
A FULLY PERMITTED PROJECT
COPPER WORLD is a fully permitted project advancing into the final feasibility and planning phase to progress towards the development of the mine in the coming years. Hudbay has demonstrated a strong commitment to transparency, actively engaging with the public and encouraging constructive feedback from local residents, environmental groups, and regulatory authorities to ensure that operations are both safe and responsible.
In 2021, the State Mine Inspector approved Copper World’s Mined Land Reclamation Plan (MLRP), and more recently, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) approved both the Aquifer Protection Permit and the Air Quality Permit. These milestones underscore Copper World’s dedication to responsible development. Mining in the United States is highly regulated, and the rigorous review process conducted by Arizona’s state agencies confirms that Copper World’s operations will meet stringent environmental and operational standards.
COPPER MADE IN ARIZONA
ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING aspects of Copper World is its plan to produce finished copper at its facilities within the U.S. “Made in America” copper cathode produced at Copper World is expected to be sold for domestic U.S. consumption. The initial operation will be producing 60,000 tons per day of copper concentrate. Copper World will add a concentrate leach facility, and a solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW) plant to begin producing finished copper cathode on-site in the 5th year of operations.
Copper World is one of the highest-grade open pit copper projects in the Americas, and anticipated to be the third largest domestic copper cathode producer in the United States once in production. Producing copper on-site will also help reduce emissions and eliminate unnecessary transportation of concentrate for processing overseas.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
AT HUDBAY, we are committed to creating jobs that support local communities and drive economic growth. As part of our local-first approach, we prioritize hiring from the communities near our operations to foster strong partnerships and contribute directly to the prosperity of the regions we serve. Explore exciting career opportunities with us and be part of a project that’s powering the future.
See how you can get involved in shaping the next chapter of Copper World.