After almost two years of construction, Florence Copper's wells are pumping in preparation for copper production in early 2026.
By Mark Cowling
FLORENCE — After almost two years of construction in preparation for full-scale mining, Florence Copper’s wells are now pumping and the company expects to begin producing large sheets of copper in early 2026.
“This project has been several decades in the making and we’re proud to see the transition to commercial operations underway,” General Manager John Mays said in a prepared statement. “Florence Copper will deliver a reliable, domestic and responsible supply of copper at a time when the nation needs it most.”
The company mines using the “in situ” method — the mineral is dissolved underground and the copper-rich solution is pumped to the surface, where it is plated into LME Grade A copper cathode sheets. This process has advantages including limited land disturbance, low greenhouse gas intensity and low energy and water use, the company said.
Florence Copper expects to have the lowest greenhouse gas and energy intensity among primary copper producers in North America.
There were two main components of Florence Copper’s construction program: wellfield expansion and construction of the SX/EW plant — or the solvent extraction/electrowinning process of turning dissolved copper into the finished product.
Wellfield operations began in mid-October and there are currently about 110 wells running. “The time frame required for the copper-rich solution to reach the concentration needed for cathode plating in the SX/EW plant is dependent on multiple factors, such as copper grade, solution flow rates and other process conditions. We expect the first copper cathode to be produced in early 2026,” a spokesperson said.
Hiring
Florence Copper grew from 35 employees two years ago to more than 150 and expects to soon reach about 200. These new jobs range from entry-level positions to skilled professionals, the company said.
“We are committed to providing local job opportunities, and the response from job seekers across Pinal County has been tremendous,” Mays said. “These are high-quality, long-term jobs that support families and strengthen the local economy. Florence Copper is proud to be part of the region’s economic future.”
Nearly 300 job seekers attended a recent job fair in Gold Canyon. The majority of new hires over the past two years have come from Pinal County, the company said.
According to an economic and fiscal impact study conducted by the L. William Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University and published in March 2024, Florence Copper is expected to support an annual average of approximately 820 direct, indirect and induced jobs in Arizona over the project’s lifetime. This includes nearly 500 jobs in Pinal County and approximately 250 jobs in Florence, the company said.
Job opportunities and application information are available at florencecopper.com/careers.
Starting in 2019, Florence Copper conducted a small-scale test of in-situ copper recovery and the SX/EW process that eventually produced over 1 million pounds of copper. In September 2023, Florence Copper received its final major federal permit to expand into commercial operations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Over its estimated 22-year operating life, the project is expected to produce approximately 1.5 billion pounds of copper, with an annual production capacity of 85 million pounds at full operation. This will position Florence Copper as the third-largest copper cathode producer in the U.S. at a time when the nation relies on foreign sources for nearly half of its copper supply, the company said.
Community support
Since 2013, the Florence Copper Community Foundation has awarded more than $191,000 to local nonprofits and initiatives, including more than $48,000 in grants in 2025, the company said.
The Creating Opportunities Scholarship Program, launched in 2011, has provided more than $109,000 in scholarships to local students, including $18,500 awarded this year.
In January 2025, Florence Copper celebrated a ribbon cutting with the town of Florence for the renovated Jason Lopez Memorial Park playgrounds. Florence Copper contributed $50,000 to add accessibility features for children with disabilities and special needs.
“Florence Copper looks forward to continuing its partnership with the town of Florence as a major sponsor of local town events and additional community projects,” the company said.
“Florence Copper has deep roots in this community, and our commitment goes far beyond just producing copper,” Mays said. “As we move into commercial operations, we look forward to expanding our positive socioeconomic impact — from supporting local organizations to growing a workforce that reflects the community we call home.”
