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Current Status

Current Status of Federal Permitting

The Resolution Copper project has reached a major federal milestone.
On March 16, 2026, the congressionally mandated land exchange was recorded, and the U.S. government issued the final Record of Decision (RoD). This action completes the federal land exchange process and authorizes future special use permits for pipelines, powerlines, and roads across National Forest System lands.

What this means

  • The land exchange directed by Congress in 2014 is now complete.
  • Federal environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is finished.
  • The U.S. Forest Service (USFS), as the lead federal agency, has concluded its review and issued its final decision.
  • The project now moves from federal land exchange review into enabling work, additional studies, and state-level permitting.

What Comes Next

With the land exchange completed, the project moves into its next phase.

The next steps planned include:

  • Approximately $500 million in committed investment for enabling work for the next two years.
  • Surface drilling to collect additional resource information.
  • Upgrades to existing site infrastructure to prepare for potential underground development.
  • Continued collaboration with local communities and Native American Tribes.
  • Ongoing state-level permitting in advance of a future investment decision.

No decision has been made to begin mining. Future phases will be subject to additional review, permits, and community engagement.

Resolution Copper recognizes the significance of this project to local communities, Tribal Nations, and Arizona. We remain committed to transparency, regulatory compliance, and ongoing dialogue as the project progresses.

For official federal documents and updates, the U.S. Forest Service maintains the authoritative public record.

Our Work

BERJAYA

How Environmental Stewardship is Shaping the Future of Responsible Mining

Learn how Resolution Copper is advancing environmental stewardship through land reclamation, responsible mine planning, and community partnership.
BERJAYA

Town of Superior Approves Historic Water Agreement with Resolution Copper

The Town of Superior Town Council has unanimously approved a landmark water agreement with Resolution Copper, securing a long-term, more than $20 million water mitigation commitment designed to protect and enhance the community’s water future.
BERJAYA

Resolution Copper’s Funding of Globe High School Robotics Lab Prepares Students for Competitive Careers

In the small town of Globe, Arizona, with a population of just over 7,000 people, big ideas for the future are brewing among high school students.
BERJAYA

Copper Strong: April Community Impact Across Arizona

Across Arizona, students explored future careers, volunteers served neighbors in need, families gathered at community events, and local partnerships continued creating real impact.
BERJAYA

Resolution Copper employee Bryan Seppala awarded 2026 AAED Member of the Year

The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) honored Resolution Copper employee Bryan Seppala, AZED Pro, with the prestigious Member of the Year award.
BERJAYA

New Water Recycling System Reduces Annual Use by One Million Gallons

A new Potable Water Recycling System is now operating on site, reducing water use by an estimated one million gallons per year. The system captures clean analyzer water and returns it to the plant for reuse, replacing water that was previously discharged onto the ground.
BERJAYA

Reflecting on His Past, Bryan Mines a New Future

Bryan’s family is no stranger to mining. Born and raised in Globe, Bryan grew up watching his father and uncles work at the Magma Copper Mine. The industry was volatile at the time, and Bryan’s father was laid off three different times. Wanting a more stable path for his son, Bryan’s father encouraged him to do anything else for a living. Bryan followed that advice and decided to enroll at the University of Arizona, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economic development.
BERJAYA

Apache Owned Business to Manage Oak Flat Campground

Resolution Copper reaffirms that public access to the Oak Flat Campground, as well as to recreational roads and climbing areas on private land in the Oak Flat area, will remain open for the foreseeable future following completion of a federal land exchange this month.
BERJAYA

United States Forest Service and Resolution Copper Complete Land Exchange

The U.S. Forest Service and Resolution Copper, a joint venture owned by Rio Tinto and BHP that represents one of the world's most significant untapped copper deposits, have completed a Federal land exchange required to unlock the full potential of the project.