The Copper Development Association expects to see seven million electric vehicles on US roads by 2025 – a substantial increase from today’s estimated 567,000. With the amount of copper in electric vehicles substantially more than what’s required in gas-powered cars, the group anticipates the electric vehicle industry will see an increase of 1,700 kilotons in copper demand by 2027.
As a result, the copper industry is clamoring to satiate the booming demand needed to support electric vehicles and the infrastructure required for widespread adoption. And according to Reuters, the once-downtrodden US copper industry is looking to fill that supply, with several projects underway.
A Look at US Copper Production
According to the International Copper Study Group’s World Copper Factbook 2018, global copper mine production reached 20.0 million tons in 2017. The US is currently the fourth largest producer in the world, behind China, Peru, and Chile. Of the world’s top 20 copper mines by production, the US currently hosts two:
Morenci
The Morenci mine, located in Arizona, was the third largest producer by capacity in 2018, producing 520 thousand metric tons. The mine, in operation since 1939, is owned by Freeport-McMoRan Inc., along with affiliates of the Sumitomo Corporation.
Like many mines, Morenci produces copper via concentrates, while also processing oxide and low-grade sulfide ores via Solvent Extraction-Electrowinning, or SX-EW.
Bingham Canyon
Owned by Rio Tinto Kennecott, the Bingham Canyon Mine is located in Utah, and boasts the title of largest man-made excavation in the world. The World Copper Factbook 2018 states that Bingham Canyon produced 280 thousand metric tons of copper in 2018.
Unlike the Morenci mine, Bingham Canyon processes copper concentrates exclusively. Opened in 1903, Bingham Canyon is responsible for 7% of annual US copper production.
New Projects
After more than a decade without any new projects coming online, four US copper projects, summarized below, will be starting up in the near future, according to Reuters.
Pumpkin Hollow
Nevada Copper Corp. is looking to commence production at their Pumpkin Hollow mine in Yerington, Nevada, by the end of 2019. Production is expected to yield an average of 50 million pounds of copper each year, with a 23-year mine life.
The site will be working with copper concentrates. The immediate project at the site is an underground mine, but the company is also developing an open pit operation that will be in production in the near future as well.
Florence Copper
Taseko Mines has been in the testing phase at their Florence Copper site in Florence, Arizona. The company is obtaining copper through in-situ recovery and processing via SX-EW. Commercial production is expected to commence by the middle of 2019. Taseko estimates they will produce an average of 85 million pounds of copper per year, with a 20-year mine life.
Copper Flat
New Mexico Copper Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Themac Resources Group, expects to begin production of its Copper Flat mine in New Mexico in 2020.
The open pit mine will process copper concentrates and has an estimated mine life of 11 years at an annual production of 74,000 kilopounds.
Gunnison Copper Project
Excelsior Mining Corp.’s Gunnison Project, located in Arizona, anticipates first production by the end of 2019.
Like Florence Copper, the Gunnison Copper project is also an in-situ recovery operation with an SX-EW plant. Excelsior expects to produce a total of 2.2 billion pounds of copper cathode throughout the mine’s 24-year life.
Resolution Copper
Outside of these projects, work also continues on Resolution Copper’s namesake mine in Arizona – a project that’s been in the works for more than a decade. The project will produce copper concentrates, and once operational, will be able to meet 25% of annual domestic copper demand, according to Resolution Copper.
The US is also home to a spattering of other copper mines, spanning states all over the country.
The Impact of Domestic Copper Production
The revival of the US copper industry is a welcome homecoming both locally and nationally.
Locals home to copper mines have prospered with the economic boost a mine brings to the region. In 2012, the state of Arizona undertook a study to assess the economic impact of the mining industry on the state’s economy. They found that in 2012 alone, the industry provided a total of 52,100 jobs in the state, and 4.8 billion dollars in income. Total income per worker in the state was estimated at $99,500 for the year – double the average income per worker in the state’s other industries.
Nationally, increased domestic production would undoubtedly bring a host of direct and indirect economic impacts, from reduced reliance on imports, to an increase in jobs, and higher demand for copper production equipment.
As a leading provider of custom agglomerators used in heap leaching SX-EW operations, paddle mixers for smelter preparation, and material handling equipment, FEECO has already seen the onset of the industry’s reinvigoration.
“We’ve generally seen an uptick in inquiries for processing copper ore and concentrates, but this is especially true domestically,” says Chris Kozicki, FEECO Process Sales Engineer and agglomeration expert. “In particular, we’re seeing a lot of inquiries around our paddle mixers; we’re a top provider for these internationally, so it’s nice to see some of that interest closer to home.”
Conclusion
The booming electric vehicle market has breathed life back into the US’s waning copper industry. As demand for copper continues to grow, several US producers are hoping to answer the call, while bringing a positive impact to both local and national economies.
FEECO is a preferred provider of the paddle mixers, material handling equipment, and agglomeration drums used to process copper into a refined product. With a feasibility testing center to support equipment design and gather process data for scale-up, and an emphasis on building heavy-duty equipment that lasts, FEECO provides the industry’s best custom equipment. For more information on our copper processing equipment, contact us today!