by Matthew Holloway | Mar 18, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The U.S. Forest Service has finalized a long-contested land exchange with Resolution Copper tied to the proposed mining project near Superior, Arizona.
Resolution Copper announced that the exchange with the federal government has been finalized following years of environmental review, legal challenges, and consultation. The exchange transfers more than 2,400 acres of land in the Tonto National Forest to Resolution Copper, while the company conveys more than 5,400 acres of land across Arizona to federal agencies for conservation and public use.
The land exchange was authorized by Congress in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act and has been subject to ongoing litigation and regulatory review in the years since.
The announcement follows a March 13 decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which declined to block the exchange, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2025 decision not to issue an emergency stay requested by Apache Stronghold, a nonprofit effort of the San Carlos Apache tribe and mine opponents.
The parcel transferred to Resolution Copper includes Oak Flat, an area within the Tonto National Forest that sits above a large underground copper deposit. The project has been identified as one of the largest undeveloped copper resources in North America, with estimates of more than 40 billion pounds of copper.
Resolution Copper, a joint venture owned by Rio Tinto and BHP, has stated that the project could eventually supply a significant share of U.S. copper demand and support domestic supply chains for energy and infrastructure.
The Forest Service completed a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the project in 2025 following more than a decade of study and consultation.
Despite the completion of the land exchange, the project remains subject to additional federal, state, and local permitting requirements before mining operations can begin.
The land transfer has been the focus of sustained opposition from the San Carlos Apache Tribe and other groups, who argue that Oak Flat—known as Chi’chil Biłdagoteel—is a site of religious and cultural significance.
The Resolution Copper project has drawn national attention due to its potential economic impact and its role in domestic mineral production, as well as ongoing legal and political disputes surrounding the land exchange.
In February, Resolution Copper announced a $285,000 donation to the United Food Bank amid rising food assistance demand in Arizona.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Feb 11, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Resolution Copper has donated $285,000 to Mesa-based United Food Bank under a multi-year agreement extending through December 2028, according to the company. The donation comes as food banks across Arizona report record demand driven by rising food and household costs.
The funding will support United Food Bank’s programs and operations across its 19,000-square-mile service area, which stretches from Arizona’s East Valley to the New Mexico border and includes parts of Maricopa, Pinal, and Gila counties, as well as southern Navajo and Apache counties, including the Copper Corridor.
Resolution Copper President and General Manager Vicky Peacey said the company’s focus in this donation is on food security, particularly in mining and tribal communities within the Copper Corridor, including Superior, Globe, and Miami.
“Mining has always been about more than minerals. It is about people,” Peacey said in the release, adding that meeting basic needs such as food security is essential to building strong communities. “Our work in the Copper Triangle connects us to communities that have powered Arizona’s economy for generations. But we know that strong communities start with meeting basic needs, and for many families, that means food security.”
United Food Bank President and CEO Jason Reed said the multi-year partnership will strengthen the nonprofit’s ability to respond to increasing demand across its service area, including during emergencies when access to food and water may be limited.
According to United Food Bank, demand for food assistance reached record levels in 2025, fueled by economic instability and rising costs for food and household necessities. Reed noted that while food banks often receive increased attention during the holiday season, the need for assistance continues year-round.
United Food Bank partners with more than 125 food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters, and community organizations across eastern Arizona. While food drives help stock shelves, the organization said monetary donations allow for greater flexibility and impact.
Resolution Copper is developing what the company says has the potential to become one of the largest copper mines in the United States, with an estimated $1 billion annual economic impact for Arizona and the creation of thousands of local jobs. The development, approximately 60 miles east of Phoenix near Superior, AZ, has received support from the Trump administration, while also facing opposition from environmental groups. The company said it supports a range of community initiatives, including education, workforce development, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation.
Reed said the partnership will strengthen food assistance efforts across Arizona, particularly in tribal communities. “This partnership provides critical, multi-year support for our food programs across Arizona,” Reed said. “It strengthens our ability to meet rising demand, address day-to-day food insecurity, and respond during emergencies when access to food and water is at risk. Support for tribal communities is an important part of this agreement, reflecting the shared commitment to the communities we serve.”
Resolution Copper Mining LLC is owned 55% by Resolution Copper Company, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto PLC, and 45% by BHP Copper Inc., a subsidiary of BHP PLC.
United Food Bank, founded in 1983, serves more than 100,000 Arizonans each month and is a member of Feeding America, the national network of food banks.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Ethan Faverino | Aug 10, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
State Representative Walt Blackman, Chairman of the House Committee on Government, reiterated his strong support for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Resolution Copper project, completed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
In a letter addressed to the Acting Forest Supervisor Ericka Luna, Representative Blackman called for the swift execution of the land exchange authorized by Congress in Section 3003 of the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2015 Fiscal Year.
Representative Blackman said, “The Resolution Copper project is a rare opportunity to strengthen Arizona’s economy—especially in the historic Copper Corridor and across District 7. It will bring high-wage jobs, critical infrastructure investments, and lasting economic support for local businesses.”
The Resolution Copper Project is anticipated to create thousands of construction jobs at first, with thousands more supported during decades of mine operations.
With Arizona’s average mining wage at around $100,000, these jobs promise to enhance the livelihoods of working families across the state.
The project is also expected to generate tens of millions in annual tax revenue, enabling critical investments in public roads and essential services for the Town of Superior and the surrounding areas.
The FEIS, culminating over a decade of National Environmental Policy Act analysis, incorporates extensive input from tribal governments, local communities, and other stakeholders.
Resolution Copper’s Community Working Group has played a vital role in developing mitigation strategies and promoting shared goals.
Additionally, more than 23 local municipalities and organizations have signed Good Neighbor Agreements, establishing a structure for responsible land and community management throughout the mine’s lifespan.
Blackman added, “Resolution Copper has made a genuine effort to work with the community and earn local support—truly being a good neighbor. This project is ready to move forward, and it’s time it does. I urge the Forest Service to act without further delay.”
Representative Blackman emphasized the project’s alignment with Arizona’s legacy as a leader in U.S. copper production. He urged the USFS to proceed with the land exchange, highlighting the potential to drive sustainable economic growth for the Copper Corridor and throughout Arizona.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jun 21, 2025 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Resolution Copper project, a joint venture of BHP and Rio Tinto, issued a statement Tuesday welcoming the republication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for its proposed underground mine 60 miles east of Phoenix near Superior, AZ.
The proposed development of the largest untapped copper deposit in the world relies on a major land-swap between the Rio Tinto, BHP, federal and state governments to proceed.
Initially the FEIS for the project was released by the Forest Service in 2021, but was later withdrawn by the agency to provide additional time for the USFS to study the objections of tribal governments and the overall community.
The proposed mine is controversial and would ultimately transform the Oak Flat parcel southwest of Superior, currently forest service land, into a 1.8-mile-wide crater between 800 and 1,115 feet deep, in exchange for 6,005 acres of land to be transferred by BHP and Rio Tinto local, state and federal governments and agencies.
“As part of the land exchange, Resolution Copper has committed to initiatives that support cultural preservation, recreation, education, employment, economic development, and nature through long-term partnerships with Native American Tribes and local communities. This includes significant funding in a long-term Native American Trust Fund and Emory Oak restoration,” Resolution Copper stated. “Other commitments focus on conservation and monitoring of seeps and springs; restoration and preservation of creeks, rivers, and watersheds; and habitat enhancement for biodiversity.”
Vicky Peacey, General Manager of Resolution Copper said, “Through this process, we have deepened our relationships with local communities and Native American Tribes, including our senior leaders spending time with Tribal leaders to listen and build mutual understanding. We welcome the opportunity to continue these conversations as we move into the next phase of permitting. Working together, mining can co-exist with cultural heritage, recreation, and nature, while delivering new economic opportunities in rural Arizona.”
“This project has undergone one of the most comprehensive environmental and social reviews in U.S. history,” she added. “The republication of the FEIS reflects the thorough work by the USFS, local communities, and Native American Tribes and the seriousness with which all stakeholders have approached this process. We remain committed to earning trust through transparency, engagement, and responsible development as we move forward.” In PR posts to social media, Resolution Copper boasts the prospects of adding $1.2 Billion to Arizona’s economy and thousands of jobs in Superior and Magma, AZ, totaling $270 million in annual salaries.
In a statement posted to X, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins expressed the Trump administration’s support for the proposal early in the week, noting that the republication of the withdrawn FEIS is “an important step in advancing President Trump’s goal of emergency and mineral independence by boosting domestic mineral production.” Rollins added, “The Resolution Copper project is a prime example of how we can harness America’s abundant resources to fuel growth in rural America, reduce our dependence on foreign imports, strengthen our supply chains, and enhance our national security.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture detailed in a Tuesday release that the land transfer cannot occur until August 19, 2025, or 60 days after the Federal Register notice is published per a ruling from a U.S. District Court on June 9th. It added that, if approved, the mine is projected to generate $149 million in annual payroll, with approximately 1,500 jobs, providing between $80 and $120 million a year in estimated state and local tax revenue as well as $200 million a year to the federal government. The final environmental impact statement is expected to be posted to the Federal Register, along with the draft decision record from the USFS on June 20th.
The public has 45 days to make any objections to the decision and the USFS must respond and address any objections within 90 days, meaning the project could see final approval as soon as November 2nd.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
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