The Daily Dig
Rio Tinto has approved a $144 million investment by Resolution Copper to advance the next phase of development near Superior, Arizona. Rio Tinto’s share comes to $79 million. The project sits on one of the world’s largest untapped copper deposits.
Swap Meet
The new funding follows the land exchange completed in March 2026, which cleared the way for this phase. It comes on top of roughly $500 million in preliminary spending announced at that time.
Shaft Work
The program funds feasibility studies and final design engineering. That work covers installing development and production material handling equipment in both shafts, along with new water treatment facilities.
It also keeps exploration drilling moving. On the purchasing side, it covers underground development and production equipment, plus long-lead electrical equipment.
Deep Bench
The investment will create about 50 additional roles across mining, geotechnical, geological, engineering, and project services.
The deposit itself sits between 5,000 and 7,000 feet underground. Nobody reaches that kind of depth with a shovel and good intentions.
Rio Tinto Copper Chief Executive Katie Jackson put the project in national terms. “Resolution Copper has the potential to supply up to 25% of America’s copper demand for decades, strengthen domestic supply chains and deliver significant economic benefits for Arizona,” she said.
She added that the funds “will accelerate underground development, create additional skilled roles and ensure Resolution Copper is well positioned for its next investment decision, while maintaining safe underground operations and construction.”
Looking further ahead, the project could become one of the largest copper mines in the United States. Rio Tinto says it could also create thousands of direct and indirect jobs and add about $1 billion a year to Arizona’s economy.
Snapshot:
Project: Resolution Copper
Location: Near Superior, Arizona
Sector: Mining (copper)
Operator: Resolution Copper Mining, LLC
Ownership: Joint venture, Rio Tinto 55%, BHP 45%
Investment Approved: $144 million (Rio Tinto share: $79 million)
Prior Spending: About $500 million in preliminary spending, announced with the March 2026 land exchange
Announced: November 5, 2026
Design Scope: Feasibility studies and final design engineering for installing development and production material handling equipment in both shafts; new water treatment facilities
Other Funded Work: Ongoing exploration drilling
Equipment Purchases: Underground development and production equipment; long-lead electrical equipment
Deposit Depth: 5,000 to 7,000 feet underground
New Roles: About 50 (mining, geotechnical, geological, engineering, project services)
Supply Potential: Up to 25% of U.S. copper demand, for decades
Projected Economic Impact: About $1 billion a year to Arizona’s economy; thousands of direct and indirect jobs
Status: Advancing toward the next investment decision
TheJobWalk Thoughts
Feasibility and final design are usually where specs get written. That makes this the window for material handling, water treatment, and electrical suppliers to get in front of the engineering team. Wait for the bid package, and you may be bidding against a spec built around someone else’s product.
Buying long-lead electrical gear before the next investment decision is a familiar schedule play, since that equipment often sets the pace for everything behind it. Across the industry, deep underground work draws from a small pool of experienced people. Even a modest hiring push matters to anyone competing for that talent.
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