Resolution Copper awarded approximately $110 million [1] in contracts for exploration and underground development at its proposed Arizona mine on Aug. 7, 2026.
This investment signals a significant push toward the physical development of the site, moving the project closer to operational status in a region critical for domestic mineral production.
The contracts were granted to Major Drilling America Inc. and Redpath USA Corporation [1]. These firms will handle essential exploration and underground development work at the proposed mine site [2].
The project is located in Arizona’s Copper Triangle, which sits about 60 miles [3] east of Phoenix near Superior, Arizona [2]. The work aims to advance the technical understanding and infrastructure of the underground site to facilitate future copper extraction [2].
Copper is a vital component for global electrification and electronics, making the development of large-scale deposits a priority for industrial stability. The proposed mine in the Copper Triangle represents one of the most significant potential copper sources in the U.S. [2].
Resolution Copper has not provided further details on the specific timeline for the completion of these initial development contracts. The company said the awards are intended to advance exploration and underground development at the proposed site [2].
“Resolution Copper awarded approximately $110 million in contracts for exploration and underground development”
The allocation of $110 million for specialized drilling and underground development suggests that Resolution Copper is transitioning from planning to active site preparation. By hiring Major Drilling and Redpath, the company is securing the technical capacity needed to prove the mine's viability and infrastructure, which is a prerequisite for full-scale production in a volatile global copper market.
