Hudbay Minerals Receives Full Permits for Copper World Project in Arizona

Hudbay Minerals

Hudbay Minerals, a prominent Canada-based mining firm, has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining the final regulatory approval needed for its ambitious Copper World project located in Arizona, paving the way for what could become a major copper production site in the United States.

Final Approvals and Strategic Planning

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality granted Hudbay an air quality permit, completing the trio of critical state authorizations required to move forward with the Copper World project. This permit marks a pivotal step in the project’s development, allowing Hudbay to proceed with further planning and assessments.

Hudbay is currently finalizing a definitive feasibility study for the Copper World project, initiated late last year. The study's completion will determine the viability of developing the proposed $1.7 billion mine. The company expects to publish the results of this feasibility study no earlier than next year and will make a final decision on whether to proceed with the development based on these findings.

Seeking Partnerships and Project Potential

In preparation for potential development, Hudbay is actively seeking a minority partner to assist with funding the feasibility study and potential construction costs. This strategic move is aimed at mitigating financial risk and securing additional expertise in developing the project.

Copper World, located about 30 miles outside Tucson in Pima County, encompasses eight deposits. Hudbay estimates that the project, once operational, could produce approximately 85,000 metric tonnes of copper annually over the first 20 years, exclusively for U.S. customers. This output would significantly boost Hudbay’s annual copper production by more than 50%, enhancing its market position and supply capacity.