Resolution Copper has selected Major Drilling America and Redpath USA Corporation for contracts totalling around $110m as part of efforts to develop its proposed underground copper mine in Arizona.
The mine is situated in Arizona’s Copper Triangle, about 60 miles east of Phoenix, and is expected to be capable of meeting up to a quarter of annual US copper requirements.
These contracts form part of an early phase within Resolution Copper’s planned $500m investment programme.
The initiative was announced after the company completed the Final Environmental Impact Statement process, received a Record of Decision, and concluded a congressionally required land exchange earlier this year.
Major Drilling America, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is set to carry out deep-hole directional diamond core drilling over the next two-and-a-half years.
The drilling will take place both from the surface and from depths of around 6,800ft below ground, supporting continued exploration of the Resolution Copper ore body.
This plan includes the deployment of four large surface core drilling rigs, two of which have already arrived on site, with two additional rigs expected by year-end.
The drilling equipment, supplied by Utah-based Boart Longyear, features remote-controlled operation and mechanised rod handling to enhance safety.
Redpath USA Corporation, headquartered in Nevada, will undertake the first phase of underground development.
The work involves converting two existing shafts, each descending 7,000ft, from their current sinking phase to a development setup.
The company will also install new underground infrastructure, including a mine station situated about 6,800ft underground, and develop approximately 1,500ft of new tunnels and supporting facilities.
Additional equipment, such as a production drill and Caterpillar loaders, will be supplied by Empire CAT in Mesa, Arizona.
Resolution Copper president and general manager Vicky Peacey said: “Federal action is translating into tangible progress at Resolution Copper. Completion of the FEIS process and land exchange has enabled us to move quickly into this next phase, with approximately $110m in contracts now awarded to American companies for drilling and underground development.
“This is a major early commitment within our broader $500m investment programme, and we appreciate the Trump Administration prioritising domestic mineral development and helping move this nationally significant project forward.”
The contracted work is expected to create 100 new full-time positions at Resolution Copper.