Rather than extracting and processing massive quantities of mineralized rock, Florence Copper’s in-situ copper recovery (ISCR) process dissolves copper minerals below ground, pumps a copper-rich solution to surface, and processes it into pure copper cathode sheets on site.

The ISCR process occurs 400 to 1,200 feet below surface in a bedrock layer known as the copper oxide zone. A slightly acidic solution (similar in pH to household vinegar) is used to dissolve copper minerals within the copper oxide zone. Copper-rich solution is then pumped to surface through recovery wells for processing into LME grade “A” copper cathode sheets using an electro-chemical process that separates the copper from the solution. The solution is then recycled back into the deposit, and the process repeats.

Florence Copper creates LME grade “A” copper cathode (copper sheets) using a well-known and established technology called Solvent Extraction/Electrowinning (SX/EW). Once the copper-rich solution produced in the ISCR process is above ground, it travels to Florence Copper’s SX/EW plant for processing. At the plant, a chemical process first removes the dissolved copper from solution, and then electricity is used to plate the copper into cathodes.

Copper is an essential component of our everyday lives. Copper is used in wiring, plumbing, cars, trains, airplanes, electronics, building construction, cookware, coins, and a host of other products and applications. You’ll even find copper in the computer, phone or tablet you’re using to access this website.

While copper is an essential metal for our everyday lives, it has also become increasingly important as a foundational material for the world’s transition to a low-carbon future. The production, transmission, and distribution of renewable energy and the manufacture of associated technologies – such as solar arrays, wind turbines, and electric vehicles – simply could not be undertaken without copper. For instance, solar and wind power are 2 -5 times more copper intensive than traditional energy.

In 2022, market intelligence experts at S&P Global published a landmark study on copper and the critical role it will play in helping transition the world to a low-carbon future. Titled ‘The Future of Copper: Will the looming supply gap short-circuit the energy transition?’, the S&P Global report warns that unprecedented copper supply shortfalls could develop in the years ahead that will have serious consequences for the global economy and even threaten efforts to combat climate change.

Copper supply shortfalls are predicted to begin in 2025 and persist through most of the following decade. According to S&P Global, the worldwide copper supply gap could reach an unprecedented 9.9 million metric tonnes by 2035.

Florence Copper operates under stringent local, state, and federal regulations to ensure our operations protect and preserve our local environment and natural resources. Florence Copper’s unique in-situ copper recovery process has been acknowledged for its environmental benefits, including limited land disturbance, low-impact operations, reduced carbon emissions, and conservation of energy and water. Florence Copper will have 75% fewer carbon emissions, 65% less energy use and 78% less water consumed per pound of copper produced compared to conventional open-pit copper mines in Arizona. Once Florence Copper’s operations are complete, the Florence Copper property will look much as it does today and can be used for a variety of future purposes – including parkland, residential housing, manufacturing activities, or simply returned to its natural desert landscape.

Beginning in 2018, Florence Copper operated a successful Production Test Facility (PTF) at site to demonstrate the safety and viability of the in-situ copper recovery (ISCR) process. That goal has been met, with more than one million pounds of copper produced using this green method of copper production. In 2022, Florence Copper was named a finalist for two environmental awards from Arizona Forward due to the success of the PTF and the environmental benefits of the ISCR process.

Florence Copper is committed to providing local job opportunities. Florence Copper will hire for all skill levels and across various disciplines and fields and provide competitive, family-supporting wages and compensation. Employment opportunities include but are not limited to: Electricians, Administration Support Staff, Purchasers, Accountants, Welders, Laborers, Operators, Shift Supervisors, Engineers, Technicians, and Mechanics. Some positions will require specific education and experience, but others do not, with training provided on site. Interested workers should apply online to be considered at www.florencecopper.com/careers

Over the life of the mine, Florence Copper is expected to generate more than $4.3 billion for Arizona’s economy (gross state product). Florence Copper is committed to providing local supplier opportunities. To learn more about becoming a Florence Copper supplier, contact supplychain@florencecopper.com.

Florence Copper will have a mine life of 22 years. Once operations are complete and the Florence Copper site has been reclaimed, the land will look much as it does today and can be redeveloped for a range of potential purposes –  such as parkland, residential housing, or manufacturing activities.

Florence Copper is preparing to construct its commercial production facility. This will expand the project’s smaller-scale Production Test Facility, which successfully produced over one million pounds of copper on site using ISCR.

During commercial operations, Florence Copper will have the capacity to produce 85 million pounds of copper per year. According to an economic impact study conducted by the L. William Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University, this will support approximately 160 direct high-paying jobs in Florence and more than 810 direct, indirect, and induced jobs in Arizona, with an estimated economic contribution of $4.3 billion to the State of Arizona over the life of the project.