BHP Group Limited and its partner Rio Tinto completed a land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service on March 16, 2026, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for the Resolution Copper project in Arizona.
Under the swap, the partners received approximately 2,400 acres of land near the historic Magma Copper mine, while the Forest Service acquired about 5,400 acres of environmentally sensitive and culturally significant land that will be incorporated into National Conservation Areas. The Resolution Copper partnership remains 55% Rio Tinto and 45% BHP.
The exchange removes a major obstacle that had stalled detailed technical work, permitting, and construction planning for the project, which is expected to become the largest copper mine in the United States and could supply up to 25% of U.S. copper demand for decades.
The project has faced long‑standing opposition from the San Carlos Apache tribe, who consider the Oak Flat/Chi'chil Biłdagoteel site sacred, and has been subject to years of legal challenges. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s decision on March 13 cleared a critical legal hurdle, and the land swap aligns with U.S. goals of mineral independence and reducing reliance on foreign imports.
Over $2 billion has already been invested in the project, and a $500 million drilling campaign is planned to further assess the deposit. The development is projected to create thousands of high‑value jobs in Arizona and contribute billions to the state’s economy while strengthening the domestic copper supply chain.
Katie Jackson, Rio Tinto’s copper chief executive, said, "Rio Tinto is building a stronger copper business with a pipeline of large, long‑life resources that can help meet growing global demand for the materials needed for electrification, infrastructure and modern technologies." She added, "Completing the land exchange is a significant milestone and another positive step forward for the Resolution Copper project, which has the potential to satisfy up to 25% of America's copper demand for decades to come."
Brandon Craig, BHP’s president of the Americas, said, "The land exchange is an important step forward to advance essential development work at Resolution Copper and help secure the copper needed to power the economy and build critical infrastructure." He also noted, "Resolution Copper has the potential to be the largest copper mine in the US, and a game changer for US domestic supply for hundreds of industries. It is positioned to be an engine for economic growth in the US — creating thousands of high value local jobs and billions in economic activity nationwide."
Investors welcomed the development, reflecting confidence in the companies’ copper strategies and the broader shift toward domestic resource development.
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