Published: January 28, 2026 |

Construction is anticipated to be completed between 2027 and 2029.

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The Hermosa Project, a mine development focused on producing critical minerals like zinc and manganese, is progressing with its construction southeast of Patagonia.

South32, the company behind the Hermosa Project, anticipates that the construction will be completed between 2027 and 2029. Once finished, the project is expected to boost the Santa Cruz County economy and enhance energy security, according to the company.

“We’ve gone beyond 40 percent completion on the overall construction,” said Pat Risner, president of South32 Hermosa, during a Tuesday tour of the site nestled in the Patagonia Mountains.

Risner explained that the project’s goal is to onshore critical mineral supply chains that the U.S. heavily relies on. The key minerals being targeted are zinc and manganese.

South32 has invested more than $2 billion into the Hermosa underground mining project. The company aims to set a new standard for sustainability in mining by focusing on minimal surface disturbance, lower water use intensity, battery electric equipment, and reduced emissions, Risner said.

Once fully operational, the site is expected to create at least 800 jobs, with a goal of having at least 80 percent of its workforce living and working in Santa Cruz County.

“To provide generational benefits,” Risner said.

Despite some opposition due to environmental concerns, Risner assured that Hermosa is fully permitted for construction and operations by the state. South32 is working with local communities through a community protection and benefits agreement to address these concerns.

“What we’re doing is working with the local communities through what we call a community protection and benefits agreement that will have some additional commitments we’ll make above and beyond on what the legal requirements are,” Risner said.

South32 aims to have its first underground zinc production by mid-2027.

Source: KVOA

South32 operates as a diversified metals and mining company in Australia, India, China, Japan, the Middle East, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, the United States, and internationally. Located in a historic mining district in the Patagonia Mountains of Southern Arizona, South32’s Hermosa project is currently the only advanced mine development project in the United States that could produce two federally designated critical minerals — manganese and zinc — both of which are essential minerals for powering the nation’s clean energy future. It has a portfolio of assets producing bauxite, alumina, aluminum, copper, silver, lead, zinc, nickel, metallurgical coal, manganese, ferronickel, and other base metals.

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