Florence Copper has entered 2026 with a major achievement under its belt: the successful completion of the construction program required to transition into commercial operations. This milestone builds on the success of the company’s Production Test Facility (PTF), which has produced more than one million pounds of copper on-site in Florence since 2019.
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The recently completed construction focused on two critical areas: the expansion of Florence Copper’s wellfield and the development of a larger solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW) plant. The upgraded facility will produce London Metal Exchange (LME) Grade A copper cathode, contributing to a more reliable and secure domestic supply of finished copper in the United States.
The first production of copper cathode from the new commercial facility is expected in early 2026, marking another key step forward in both the company’s growth and the U.S. copper industry.
Once fully operational, Florence Copper is projected to produce up to 85 million pounds of copper annually over a 22-year mine life. This output would make Florence Copper the third-largest producer of copper cathode in the country—at a time when domestic supply chains are increasingly vital to economic and national security.
As the operation scales, Florence Copper is reinforcing its commitment to local job creation and regional economic growth. The company has expanded its workforce from just 35 employees in early 2023 to more than 160 today, with plans to hire approximately 40 additional team members in the coming months. A majority of new hires have been sourced from Pinal County, reflecting the company’s focus on supporting the local economy and workforce development.
With its growing team and production capacity, Florence Copper continues to position itself as a critical player in the U.S. copper supply chain
