Project Profile

The Resolution Project is located in the historic Pioneer Mining District, three miles east of Superior, Arizona. Exploration from 2001 to 2003 indicates what may be one of the largest copper ore bodies ever found in North America and possibly worldwide. The ore body rests more than a mile below the surface. In May 2008, Rio Tinto, Resolution Copper's parent company, announced that Resolution Copper had completed sufficient drilling on the deposit to report an Inferred Resource* (see footnote) of 1.34 billion tonnes, containing 1.51 percent copper and 0.040 percent molybdenum.

In March 2010 the company reported an increased Inferred Resource of 1.624 billion tonnes at a grade of 1.47% Cu and 0.037% Mo. Inferred Resource tonnage at Resolution increased following a new mining study including new geotechnical constraints and geological features, a lowering of the expected mining level and results of further drilling. If proven out by additional drilling, a mine of this size would be capable of producing 25 percent of expected future US copper demand over several decades.

Mining projects advance to completion and our project is now in the "pre-feasibility" phase. The work scheduled for the next several years includes dewatering the former Magma mine and sinking an exploratory shaft to 7,000 feet below the surface, as well as preparing numerous studies to evaluate technical and environmental options that will aid in preparing our mine plan.

The copper ore will be mined using a method known as panel caving, a subset of block caving. Unlike an open pit mine, which involves extensive removal of the surface waste rock to access the ore body, this method accesses the ore from underneath through a series of deep shafts and tunnels. These shafts and tunnels generate minimal waste rock. Waste rock that is generated will be used for reclaiming and restoring the adjacent site of the former Magma mine.

Click here to view the Project Resolution video.

Economic Impact

As the Resolution Project evolves, it benefits not only the Town of Superior but also the surrounding region. A 2008 third-party study conducted by Elliot D. Pollack and Company projected the following impacts:

• Total economic impact on the state of Arizona is estimated at $46.4 billion over the project's projected lifespan.
• Annual impact of the mine is approximately $536.6 million during the years of peak mine production.
• Peak annual economic impact on the state projected at $798.2 million if the additional development of residential, commercial and industrial land is considered.
• The project would generate federal, state, county and local tax revenue exceeding $10.7 billion.

Projected employment figures include:*

• 1,200 mine employees and 200 contract workers on site during peak production
• 2,603 jobs accounting for $178.7 million in wages from annual mine operations, including indirect and induced jobs
• 5,808 jobs and $305 million in wages annually from job creation in industrial and commercial businesses in support of the mine when added to mine-related employment

* A conservative copper price of $1.30 per pound was used to calculate estimates.

We are already working to develop our future workforce by supporting K-12 and secondary education programs, particularly in the areas of math and science. We partner with local community colleges, state universities and government organizations that share our desire to help students gain the knowledge and skills to become successful workers.

**An Inferred Resource assumes there is a continuous mineralized body present based on geological evidence, however, the actual mass of the mineralization is still unproven.