Published: March 26, 2026 |

[Click image to enlarge]

Resolution Copper, a joint venture between Rio Tinto (55 percent) and BHP (45 percent), and the United States Forest Service (USFS) have completed a historic land exchange, unlocking the next phase of one of the world’s largest untapped copper deposits.

“Rio Tinto is building a stronger copper business with a pipeline of large, long-life resources that can help meet growing global demand for the materials needed for electrification, infrastructure, and modern technologies,” said Rio Tinto Copper Chief Executive Katie Jackson.

“Completing the land exchange is a significant milestone and another positive step forward for the Resolution Copper project, which has the potential to satisfy up to 25 percent of America’s copper demand for decades to come. It’s expected to add $1 billion a year to Arizona’s economy and create thousands of local jobs in a region where mining has played an important role for more than a century,” added Jackson.

“As demand for copper continues to grow, projects like Resolution can play an important role in strengthening domestic supply chains. We acknowledge the support of the U.S. government and its growing recognition of the need for domestic sources of copper and other critical materials,” concluded Jackson.

Completion of the land exchange follows a March 13 decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit which ruled in favor of Resolution Copper and the federal government, denying the plaintiffs’ requests to stop the exchange.

Resolution Copper has now placed environmentally and culturally sensitive land into protection through the transfer of more than 5,400 acres of land containing special status species, riparian areas, and Native American cultural sites for inclusion in National Forests and National Conservation Areas. In return, it has received more than 2,400 acres of land adjacent to the historic Magma copper mine in Superior, Arizona.

Legislation to facilitate the land exchange passed with bipartisan support in 2014. Since then, more than a decade of consultation and coordination with civil society organizations, local communities including the Town of Superior and Native American Tribes, has helped to shape the land exchange process.

Resolution Copper said it will spend approximately $500 million over two years to support enabling works including surface drilling to collect additional resource information, funding to support Native American Tribes and local communities, as well as costs associated with the land exchange. The funds will also deliver upgrades to existing project infrastructure and initial underground development activities as well as approximately 100 new jobs.

These activities will take place in parallel with ongoing collaboration with local communities and Native American Tribes as well as state-level permitting.

The Resolution Copper project is a proposed underground mine that will be developed by re-using the disturbed footprint of the historic Magma Copper mine, in the Copper Triangle of Arizona. The ore deposit lies nearly 7,000 feet below the earth’s surface. It represents one of the most significant untapped copper deposits today. The mine has the potential to become one of the largest copper mines in America as well as other strategic materials and critical minerals. The project is a joint venture owned by Rio Tinto (55 percent) and BHP (45 percent).

Be in-the-know when you’re on-the-go!

CLICK HERE to register your email address.

Copyright © 2026 Mining Connection LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

For licensing permission, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)