Revised On: Aug. 29, 2024 - 2:30 p.m.
This permit of interest online resource provides interested parties easy access to information about the Copper World Project, owned by Copper World, Inc.
Facility Information
The Copper World Project is located approximately 28 miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona in Pima County and about 12 miles southeast of Sahuarita, Arizona. The Copper World Project will be developed as an open-pit mining operation. Both sulfide and oxide ore will be mined and beneficiated. The project will include a milling and flotation circuit for the processing of sulfide ore along with conventional tailings disposal. A heap leach facility (HLF) is planned that includes a lined heap leach pad (HLP) and associated lined ponds for the leaching of copper from oxide ore. The project also includes a solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW) plant for processing of copper-rich solutions from the heap leach circuit and from a separate copper concentrate leach circuit.
Location
9025 East Santa Rita Road

Sahuarita, Arizona 85629
Permitting
On Sep. 21, 2022, ADEQ received an Individual Aquifer Protection Program (APP) permit application from Copper World, Inc. Through this application, Copper World, Inc., sought permitting coverage for a proposed open-pit copper mine that is projected to be in operation for 15 years. The purpose and scope of the APP is to ensure that facilities are designed, constructed, and operated in a manner that eliminates or minimizes the impact of the facility’s operation on groundwater quality through operation, closure, and post-closure.
On Aug. 29, 2024, ADEQ granted the APP permit to Copper World, Inc.
Public Participation
The public notice comment period began on Jan. 5, 2024 and was extended to April 10, 2024 | View >
On Feb. 20, 2024, ADEQ held an informal community meeting to discuss the permit | View Fact Sheet >
On March 5, 2024, ADEQ held a public hearing for the public to comment in person on the draft permit. Both the informal community meeting and public hearing were held at Corona Foothills Middle School, 16705 S. Houghton Rd., Vail, AZ 85641.
Facility Archives
- Permit Release for Rosemont Copper Company | View >
- Initial Application Permit Application | View >
- Comprehensive Request for Additional Information | View >
- Inadequate Response to a Comprehensive Request for Additional Information | View >
- Follow-Up Correspondence to Inadequate Response to a Comprehensive Request for Additional Information | View >
- Draft Permit | View >
Looking for air quality permitting related to this facility? | View >
