Florence Copper will have a production capacity of 85 million pounds of copper a year. Credit: Jonathan Zander (Digon3).

Taseko Mines has obtained Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) for its Florence Copper project in the US.

Located midway between Phoenix and Tucson near the community of Florence, Arizona, the company’s wholly-owned Florence Copper project is being developed in two phases.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The first phase is a production test facility, which is followed by the second phase commercial facility.

Taseko Mines CEO and director Russell Hallbauer said: “By issuing this permit, the ADEQ has endorsed the environmental integrity of our project and is confident that the commercial operation will meet all state environmental laws and regulations.

“The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to advance their permitting process and our expectation is that the Underground Injection Control Permit will be issued in early 2021.”

Florence Copper is expected to have a production capacity of 85 million pounds of copper a year at $1.13 per pound C1 cash costs over its mine life of 20 years.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

According to the company’s latest technical report, the project has an after-tax NPV (8%) of $680m at a copper price of $3 per pound which will increase to $920m at current copper price.

Hallbauer further added: “This state-of-the-art copper production facility will have an environmental footprint smaller than any conventional open-pit or underground mining operation of its size, with water consumption 14 times lower, carbon emissions six times lower and energy consumption three times lower.”

Construction on the Florence Copper project is expected to start next year and will supply the US domestic market.