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Hudbay says Copper World has key permits, begins feasibility work; drilling and road dust remain local concerns
Summary
Hudbay told the Town of Sahuarita council it has received major permits for the proposed Copper World mine, will complete a feasibility study in 2025 and make a sanctioning decision in early 2026; company representatives said drilling and dust on a primary access road are active issues and that they are using noise mitigation around drill rigs.
Hudbay representative Jerry Bustamante told the Town of Sahuarita council on Feb. 24 that the company has secured the major permits required to build the proposed Copper World mine and is moving into a yearlong feasibility study ahead of a possible sanctioning decision in early 2026. "As of the beginning of, 2025, we have now received all the major approvals required, to build Copper World," Bustamante said.
The company reported it received an air quality permit from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality on Jan. 2 and previously secured an aquifer protection permit and a mined land reclamation plan approval from the state mine inspector in 2021. Bustamante said Hudbay will spend most of 2025 completing a feasibility study and aims to be in position "early next year for Hudbay to make a sanctioning decision, for Copper World in early, 2026."
Bustamante also identified two local concerns tied to site preparation: Bridal Road, a roughly seven-mile unpaved access road used by the project that creates dust for nearby residents, and drilling for production wells on property just outside the town boundary near Sahuarita Road and Santa Rita Road. "Bridal Road. That is a problem that...it's not a new problem," Bustamante said, noting the company was working with state and county partners, the University of Arizona and the town to find a solution.
On the drilling work he said Hudbay had notified nearby residents before mobilizing equipment and added mitigation measures. "We know that noise, we know that light is an issue. So we've installed sound deadening panels around the drill rig to mitigate that," Bustamante said, adding that the company had not received complaints so far.
He noted the well-drilling site is next to a residential area and will eventually supply production wells for Copper World. Bustamante said Hudbay will continue to engage with stakeholders and move the project forward "responsibly with transparency."
