Copper Mine Project to Start Near Tucson in 2029
Tucson-area businesses should prepare for $1.9 billion in mine investment and 1,500 new construction jobs.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Construction
Live Poll
Do you support the development of new large-scale mining operations in your local community?
Hudbay Minerals plans to launch mining operations at its Copper World site southeast of Tucson in the second half of 2029. The $1.9 billion project aims to produce 116,000 tons of copper annually over a 16-year lifespan, impacting the local labor market with thousands of new roles.
Why it matters
The $1.9 billion investment signals a major expansion in regional resource extraction that will drive significant demand for local construction labor and industrial support services. Operators should monitor this project as a key indicator of infrastructure growth and employment competition in the Southern Arizona market.
Hudbay Minerals is investing $1.9 billion to develop four open pits that will generate 1,500 construction jobs and 400 permanent positions. The site is expected to produce an average of 116,000 tons of copper annually, with projected U.S. tax revenue between $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion.
The players
Hudbay Minerals
A mining company focused on the acquisition, development, and operation of base and precious metal mines across the Americas.
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
The state agency responsible for overseeing environmental permits and regulatory compliance for industrial operations.
The details
The project utilizes a traditional open-pit, truck-and-shovel mining model, integrating ore stockpiles and waste rock facilities with an in-pit crushing and conveying system. This setup replaces the site's previous incarnation as the Rosemont Mine, which stalled following a 2019 U.S. District Court injunction. The operation is currently cleared by two key environmental permits from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Timeline
2019: U.S. District Court injunction halted the original Rosemont Mine project.
May 2023: Aerial photography documented the current Copper World site.
October 2026: Hudbay Minerals confirmed the 2029 operational startup date.
Second half of 2029: The mine is scheduled to begin production.
Market Landscape
The development follows the 2019 U.S. District Court injunction that halted the prior Rosemont Mine project. Hudbay Minerals is now navigating a path forward that focuses on private land to advance the copper operation.
Local firms in construction, logistics, and industrial supply should prepare for increased labor demand as the $1.9 billion project enters its active build phase. Monitor upcoming procurement announcements and permit updates as the 2029 launch date approaches.
The takeaway
The Copper World project represents a major long-term capital influx for the region with substantial employment implications. Operators should track the project's milestones, as the 1,500 construction jobs will influence local labor pricing and subcontractor availability through 2029.
Further reading
For context on regional development trends, view the Construction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Elko Daily Free Press.
Live Poll
Do you support the development of new large-scale mining operations in your local community?
