Florence Copper Project Reaches Major Milestone
Taseko Mines Limited announced today that Florence Copper is beginning commercial production at its facility in Florence, Arizona. The company received final regulatory approvals and the operating team is now initiating wellfield operations.
The wellfield uses a network of wells to pump a slightly acidic solution—similar in pH to household vinegar—into the copper-bearing rock 400 to 1,200 feet below the surface. This solution dissolves the copper minerals underground, then pumps the copper-rich solution back to the surface for processing.
The processing plant area reached substantial completion on September 19. The general contractor began de-mobilizing construction crews at that time. Once operational, the processing plant uses a chemical and electrical process to separate the copper from the solution and produce pure copper sheets. Taseko’s team is supervising the remaining contractors as they complete final construction work.
Strategic Timing for Florence Copper Mining
Stuart McDonald, President and CEO of Taseko, stated that the commencement of wellfield operations represents “a fantastic milestone for Florence Copper, and a great achievement that our construction team in Arizona has accomplished in less than two years.” McDonald added the company has “successfully executed on this major capital project and look forward to first copper production and a successful ramp-up of the operation in the months ahead.”
McDonald said the timing is ideal: copper prices are nearing record highs, and the United States is increasingly focused on securing critical mineral supply
