2007 Sustainable Development Report

• TABLE OF CONTENTS
  • About Resolution Copper
  • Sustainable Development: An Explanation
  • Stakeholder Assurance Review
  • Message from the President | The Land Exchange
  • 2007 Achievements and Challenges
    • Achievements
    • Challenges
  • Resolution Project Profile
    • The Resolution Project
    • Project Status
    • How We Operate
    • Resolution Project Development Steps | Pre-feasibility Study Update
  • Business Profile
    • Sustainable Business Development
    • Project Planning
    • Employee Training
    • Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Systems
    • Support of SD Policies and Regulatory Compliance
    • Government Affairs
  • Sustainable Development Performance/Targets
    • 2007 Sustainable Development Scorecard
    • Resolution Copper: 2008 Sustainable Development Targets
  • Social Well-Being
    • Safety First
    • Saftey Programs
    • Workforce Profile
    • 2007 Workforce Demographics
    • Employee Survey
    • Community Data
    • Social Well-Being
    • Consulting with Stakeholders
    • Attitudes Toward the Mine: 2007 Copper Triangle Stakeholders Survey/Result Highlights
    • Environment Is Top Concern of Those Surveyed
    • Other Concerns and Complaints
    • Philanthropy and Community Investment
    • Community Engagement
    • Engaging with RCM Stakeholders - 2007
  • Economic Development
    • 2007 Highlights
    • Hiring Locally
    • Corporate Philanthropy
  • Environmental Stewardship
    • Care and Concern
    • Mining Approach
    • Graphic Overview of Block Caving
    • ISO 14001:2004 Certification Achieved
    • Rehabilitation Process
    • 2007 Environmental Incidents
    • Tailings Management
    • Water Management
    • MARRCO Railroad Endures
    • Environmental Impact Study
    • Environmental Partnerships/Environmental Highlights
    • Land Exchange of Critical Importance
  • Reader's Survey

Resolution Project Profile | Chapter Contents

Resolution Project Profile

Resolution Copper is a part of the Rio Tinto Group and is a partnership between two of the world’s leading international mining companies, Rio Tinto (RT) and BHP Billiton (BHP). The project is owned 55 percent by Rio Tinto and 45 percent by BHP Billiton.

Resolution Copper Mining is a project within Rio Tinto Copper and is managed by a team of two vice presidents working under the president. The management team drives sustainable development principles down through all operational departments within RCM.

The Resolution Project

Initial exploration completed by Resolution Copper Mining from 2001–2003 indicated a large copper ore body more than 7,000 feet below ground surface in the vicinity of the former Magma Copper Shaft No. 9. The project is located in the historic Pioneer Mining District in Pinal County, three miles east of Superior, Arizona. Patented and unpatented mining claims covering the project area are held in partnership by Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. Exploration and pre-feasibility activities are expected to result in development and operation of a new underground mine—a mine that is expected to produce more than 20 percent of US copper demand for several decades.

The Resolution Project

The Resolution Project is quite possibly the largest single development project in Arizona, and will have a significant impact not only on the company’s host communities but also the state, through taxes and employment. Project expenditures since inception are $232 million, with figures expected to rise significantly over mine life.

The Resolution Project consists of two sites: one north of Superior called the West Plant site, which was the location of mining and smelting activities of the historic Magma Mine from 1910 until 1996; and another at Oak Flat (known as the East Plant site) that was the main location for mining beginning in the 1970s. The West Plant site is the focus of major cleanup efforts by Resolution Copper. Expenditures on site rehabilitation to date total $13.3 million, and will near $50 million by the time the work is completed. The No. 9 shaft at the East Plant site is the focus of future development.

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