661 FLORENCE COPPER & IN-SITU COPPER RECOVERY: A NEW MILESTONE FOR SUSTAINABLE COPPER MINING S. M. Dessart 1Florence Copper, United States (*Presenting author: Sophie Dessart) 2Mining Technology: Process Innovation, Circularity and Recovery 3Mining Division: Florence Copper, Mining Company ABSTRACT While the world grapples with an increased need for copper due to the rise of artificial intelligence, data centers, electrification, defense spending, and other key demand drivers, finding new, efficient, and environmentally responsible sources of copper has become all the more crucial. As the world’s first greenfield in-situ copper recovery (ISCR) operation, Florence Copper, which is located in Arizona’s historic copper corridor, represents an opportunity to produce copper without the traditional environmental footprint associated with copper mining. Florence Copper’s ISCR process eliminates the need for large-scale blasting, hauling, open pits, underground workings, tailings, and other activities associated with a typical copper mine. As such, Florence Copper boasts a small environmental footprint and significant energy, carbon, and water savings. Under commercial operations, Florence Copper is expected to be the lowest greenhouse gas- and energy-intensive copper producer in North America and one of the lowest in the world. At the same time, the project will have a production capacity of 85 million pounds of copper per year over its 22-year operating life. Florence Copper and the ISCR process represent a unique opportunity to help satisfy the burgeoning demand for sustainable, environmentally responsible copper production. Ultimately, this presentation will highlight Florence Copper’s path to commercial operations, the ISCR process and its benefits, and the role of this project in redefining the meaning of sustainable copper production. KEYWORDS Florence Copper, in-situ copper, recovery, copper, sustainability, World Mining Congress 1. INTRODUCTION As the world experiences rapid growth in artificial intelligence (AI), electrification, defense spending, electric vehicles, and overall economic development, the global demand for copper is quickly expanding. According to S&P Global’s Copper in the Age of AI: The Challenges of Electrification, copper demand is expected to grow by 50% by 2040, resulting in a supply deficit of 10 million metric tons unless significant adjustments are made (S&P Global, 2026). While new sources of copper are needed, developing new mines is a lengthy process, averaging 29 years from discovery to production in the United States (S&P Global, 2024). Located in Arizona’s historic copper corridor in the Town of Florence, Florence Copper represents an opportunity to help address growing copper demand with a sustainable, environmentally responsible source of copper production. In contrast to conventional mining operations, Florence Copper employs insitu copper recovery (ISCR), a process that allows for the production of copper without open pit or underground excavation, large-scale blasting, tailings storage facilities, and other traditional mining activity.
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