Cactus Mine Update—from a Taxpayer Liability to a Top Copper Producer

The Cactus Project (Cactus), historically the Sacaton Mine, is a prime example showing that it is possible to turn an environmental clean-up into a sustainable mining operation. It demonstrates how government agencies and private industry can work together to benefit the local community. Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. is proposing to restart Cactus, located in a previously heavily developed area. Instead of disturbing an untouched greenfield area, the company is proposing to use an historical mining site. It will also bring an historic location, from circa 1970s and 1980s, up to the modern environmental requirements that the State of Arizona requires for modern mines, including Arizona Aquifer Protection Permit Requirements. Prior to the Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. acquiring this project from an Environmental Trust and the State of Arizona, this site was a taxpayer liability. Now it is on track to being a top 10 copper producer in Arizona while supplying a critical mineral, copper, for the U.S. supply chain as well as for national security requirements. This site will also provide meaningful jobs to the host community of Casa Grande and surrounding cities and Pinal County as a whole. Over the three plus decades this mine will be in operation, the Economic Output from the operation will be US$15 billion, equivalent to the City of Casa Grande hosting a Super Bowl every year for almost four decades.