An aerial view showcasing the operational site of the Santa Cruz Copper Project in Arizona.
Ivanhoe Electric is set to develop the Santa Cruz Copper Project in Arizona, marking the first U.S. copper mine in over a decade. Expected to be operational by 2028, it aims to boost domestic copper production amid soaring market prices and recent tariffs. The project will create around 900 jobs and fulfill the increasing demand for copper driven by renewable energy and electric vehicles, thereby revitalizing the U.S. mining landscape and ensuring a stable supply for the future.
Arizona is set to welcome a major development in its mining sector as Ivanhoe Electric prepares to launch the Santa Cruz Copper Project, marking the first copper mine in the United States in over a decade. Located in Casa Grande, approximately 40 miles south of Phoenix, this project is expected to play a vital role in revitalizing U.S. copper production amidst soaring prices and strategic tariffs.
The Santa Cruz mine is projected to be operational by 2028, a notably expedited timeline compared to the typical 29-year wait for copper mines to commence production. This rapid advancement is underscored by a favorable regulatory environment established through an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in March 2025, which designated copper as a critical mineral. This classification facilitates faster permitting processes and grants tax incentives to mining companies.
A significant policy shift occurred on July 8, 2025, when President Trump announced a 50% tariff on copper imports set to take effect on August 1, 2025. This tariff aims to bolster domestic production and reduce reliance on foreign sources, as the United States currently produces about half the copper it consumes, ranking fifth globally behind nations like Chile and Peru.
The Santa Cruz Project is anticipated to yield nearly 3 billion pounds of copper over its 23-year operational lifespan. Upon reaching full production, it is expected to rank among the top five or six copper mines in the nation. One of the key advantages of the Santa Cruz mine is its location on private land, which streamlines the permitting process, allowing for quicker development.
To extract copper, the Santa Cruz Project will utilize leaching, a method designed to produce pure copper metal that meets the demands of U.S. consumers. The International Energy Agency forecasts an increase in global copper demand from approximately 26 million tons in 2024 to nearly 40 million tons by 2050. As existing major copper mines are anticipated to be depleted by this date, the establishment of new mines like Santa Cruz is crucial for sustaining production levels.
The construction phase of the Santa Cruz Project is expected to create around 900 full-time jobs, with approximately 600 positions remaining throughout the mining operations. Many of these jobs are projected to offer six-figure salaries and are secured for the next 25 years, significantly contributing to the local and regional economy.
The environment for domestic mining in the U.S. remains supportive, with low-cost production potential and a favorable economic outlook for copper, especially as industries shift towards renewable energy solutions and electric vehicles. Ivanhoe Electric’s plans align with U.S. decarbonization efforts and energy transition goals, further enhancing the demand for copper in critical sectors, including electric grid improvements and technological advancements.
The Santa Cruz Copper Project not only represents a crucial step for Ivanhoe Electric but also highlights the overall necessity for new mining projects in the United States. With the copper industry’s existing infrastructure facing depletion and heightened demands from various sectors, the timely launch of the Santa Cruz Project emphasizes its role in ensuring a stable and sufficient domestic copper supply moving forward.
As the project advances, it is anticipated to make a lasting impact on both Arizona’s economy and the broader U.S. mining landscape, ensuring continuous production to meet both domestic and international demand amid a rapidly evolving industrial climate.
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