(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Arizona Sonoran Copper.)
By Justin Matthews | Pinal Post
Key Points
- Production Start: Targeting 2029 for first copper output.
- Project Value: Estimated at $2.3 billion with 22 years of operation producing 100,000 tons of copper cathode annually.
- Jobs & Impact: 600+ direct jobs. Economic projections include approximately $15B in activity over 31 years (per 2024 study, to be updated) and $2.3–3B+ in tax revenue over 22 years (per 2025 study).
- Major Investors: Hudbay, Royal Gold, and Rio Tinto’s Nuton hold stakes.
- Permitting: On private land with late 2026 construction decision expected.
- Public Support: 87% approval in company-commissioned community surveys.
- Education Funds: State royalties may yield $115M+ for K–12 schools in 10 years.
Arizona Sonoran Copper Company presented its Cactus Mine Casa Grande project update to the Casa Grande City Council on November 3, 2025. The presentation outlined the transformation of a former taxpayer liability into what could become the nation’s third-largest copper cathode producer. CEO George Ogilvie detailed the project’s growth, timeline, and economic impact during the study session.
From Liability To Asset
Five years ago, the former Sacaton Mine site represented a liability exceeding $100 million for Arizona taxpayers, according to Ogilvie. The site sat abandoned after ASARCO ceased operations in 1984. Arizona Sonoran Copper Company acquired the property in 2020 and has since transformed its prospects through systematic expansion.
