Exploring Arizona's Copper Triangle: A Journey Through the Heart of Copper Mining
- Anna Dalaire
- Sep 28
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 23
A few weekends ago, I had the chance to do something I’d never done before: tour Arizona’s legendary Copper Triangle with a group of industry peers. I’ve read about the Copper Triangle countless times; how it anchors Arizona’s title as the “Copper State” and how its mines have produced an astounding 37 billion pounds of copper to date. But reading about it is one thing. Standing on the edge of a pit the size of a small town is another.
This was my first time seeing it all up close. The scale of the operations was far bigger than I had ever imagined. The experience gave me a profound appreciation for the region’s deep history, its modern operations, and its future potential.
The Giants of the Arizona Copper Triangle
Our trip began in Superior, a town that is home to Resolution Copper’s head office. From there, we set out to understand the sheer scale of the Copper Triangle, visiting some of the region’s most significant operations.
First, we stopped at the Ray Mine, one of the largest active copper operations in the United States. I knew it was big, but seeing it in person was astounding. The pit operates at a rate of 250,000 tons of ore per day. From the lookout, the terraced benches stretched to the horizon, and the massive trucks below looked like toys. It’s more than just a mine; it's a vast ecosystem that supports hundreds of jobs and entire communities.
Next, we stopped at the Hayden Smelter. Although it closed in 2020, its sheer size was a powerful reminder of how deeply integrated the region’s mining value chain once was. The facility could produce roughly 300 million pounds of copper annually.
We also drove by the Pinto Valley Mine, which has produced over 4 billion pounds of copper since 1975, and visited the Freeport-McMoRan smelter in Miami, one of the few remaining copper smelters in the U.S. These sites showed us that the Globe-Miami district isn’t just about history; it remains a vital, producing camp with robust infrastructure and a skilled workforce.
The Next Generation of Copper
The most exciting prospect in the Arizona Copper Triangle is the Resolution Copper project. This joint venture between Rio Tinto and BHP targets a deep-seated porphyry copper deposit located nearly 7,000 feet (over 2,100 meters) below the surface, beneath the now inactive Magma Mine.
It's considered one of the largest untapped copper resources in the world. When operational, it could supply up to 25% of projected US copper demand for several decades. This makes it a cornerstone of domestic supply security. Its sheer size is hard to comprehend: an estimated 1.787 billion metric tonnes grading at 1.5% copper.
Resolution Copper has already invested more than $2 billion in exploratory work and preparation. While the project is backed by strong community and regional support, it could add $1 billion per year to Arizona’s economy while creating thousands of local jobs. However, its location at the Oak Flat land preserve, a site sacred to several Apache Native American tribes, has made it the subject of ongoing legal challenges and conservation efforts.
The scale of Resolution has even drawn the attention of U.S. leadership. President Donald Trump framed the project in terms of urgency, stating:
“Our Country, quite simply, needs Copper and NOW!”
(Fox Business, MINING.COM). He also underscored the economic stakes, noting that 3,800 jobs are affected by the delay.
An Explorer’s View of Copper Bullet
The highlight of the tour was our visit to Copper Bullet’s Copper Springs/Gibson project. We spent over three hours hiking the ground, scrambling up hillsides, and inspecting outcrops.
This was where the geology came to life. We walked to black-flagged locations marking future drill sites and examined samples that showed malachite and azurite staining, vivid, visible evidence of near-surface copper. We hiked for nearly 90 minutes under the sweltering 95°F (35°C) sun, sweating through our clothes and kicking up a cloud of dust with every step. We finally reached the adit. The CEO of Copper Bullet and guide extraordinaire, Dan Weir, told us the historic tunnel was 300 feet long, as large as a football field. He peered inside, and a few of us were right behind him. The next thing we knew, a snake slithered out of the dark to say hello, and we all jumped back! It was a startling reminder that this land remains a sovereign territory, both wild and untamed. On the eastern side of the property, we saw copper literally leaching out of the hillside. On the western side, we examined breccia pipes, which are vertical conduits that can host rich mineralization.
After the hike and a big lunch, we took the Suburbans up a winding dirt road into the mountains, showcasing that this property stretches over 10 km.
Junior Mining, Copper Bullet
To set the stage, it's worth noting the strategic position of Copper Bullet's project. The property sits in the heart of the Copper Triangle, near Globe-Miami. The infrastructure is excellent: power lines cross the site, water is readily available, and the roads are easily accessible. Unlike many junior companies exploring in remote locations, Copper Bullet is working in a region with more than a century of mining know-how and support services right next door.
And there’s already a foundation to build from. Historic drilling, nearly 100 holes from past operators, suggests around 47 million tonnes grading 0.4% copper. While these historic numbers indicate over 400 million pounds of copper in the ground, they are not NI 43-101 compliant and should not be relied upon as a current resource estimate. They do, however, give a starting point. The sheer scale of the district is compelling; the Globe-Miami area has already produced over 37 billion pounds of copper, and reports from the Arizona Geological Survey suggest that unmined resources total more than 94 billion pounds.
Copper Bullet’s current exploration program is designed to modernize and upgrade these historic resources. It aims to potentially discover the deeper porphyry mineralization that earlier drilling did not reach. It’s easy to see why the team is excited. Press Release
Hiking the property and touching the rocks made the project feel real in a way numbers on a page never could. It reminded me why supporting exploration and mining matters. Behind every press release is a community, jobs, and the industry that powers today and will shape tomorrow. And for many, it’s the excitement and the belief that the next big discovery is just one drill hole away.
Why the Copper Triangle Matters
By the end of the day, I had a completely new appreciation for Arizona’s Copper Triangle. It’s not just one mine, one company, or one project. It’s an entire region where copper has been shaping communities for over a century. Copper will continue to be discovered, mined, and refined for generations to come. The positives are hard to ignore:
Mining-friendly jurisdiction: Arizona knows mining. The permitting pathways are established, and communities understand the importance of the industry.
Abundant infrastructure: Power, water, roads, smelters, skilled labor—everything a mining project needs is already here.
Proven geology: Billions of pounds of copper have already been mined, but exploration continues to uncover new deposits. This is a district that consistently delivers.
Economic impact: Mining supports tens of thousands of jobs in Arizona, with wages well above the state average. It funds schools, public services, and infrastructure.
With global copper demand poised to skyrocket due to electrification, renewable energy, and AI-driven data centers, the Copper Triangle is positioned as one of the most important mining districts in the U.S.
Final Thoughts: Why the Copper Triangle Matters
By the end of the weekend, I had a completely new appreciation for Arizona’s Copper Triangle. It’s not just one mine, one company, or one project; it's an entire region where copper has been shaping communities for more than a century. It will continue to be discovered, mined, and refined for generations to come.
The experience confirmed my biggest takeaway: the scale of the pits, the potential of the deposits, and the economic momentum were far larger than I’d ever imagined. Arizona is a powerhouse, offering a mining-friendly jurisdiction with established infrastructure, skilled labor, and proven geology that still hosts giant deposits, such as Resolution Copper, and targets, like Copper Bullet. I walked away convinced that the Copper Triangle will remain one of the most important mining districts in the world as global demand for copper continues to skyrocket.
The rest of the world is betting on copper for the future, and frankly, Arizona doesn't sit on the sidelines; it consistently scores. 🏅
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Disclaimer: BULLVISION Consulting Inc. and its authors write and publish articles for informational and educational purposes only. Views are based on my experience in capital markets, marketing, communications, and small-cap exploration. While I strive to reference reliable, publicly available sources, I can't guarantee the accuracy or completeness of all information shared. The author holds shares in Copper Bullet Mines Inc. and was hosted on a company‑compensated site visit. This article reflects only the author's personal observations from that visit, as well as publicly available information, and is intended as educational content. It should not be construed as investment or financial advice, nor as a solicitation to purchase or sell any securities. Please do your due diligence and consult with your investment advisor. The company previously received compensation for consulting services unrelated to the subject matter of this article. No compensation was received for the preparation or publication of this content. Nothing here should be taken as legal, accounting, or tax advice, and I am not responsible for any decisions based on its content. This article is meant for a general audience and may not be appropriate for readers in jurisdictions where such material is restricted.
Sources
[1] Resolution Copper. Arizona & Copper – Resolution Copper (n.d.). Link
[2] Resolution Copper. Economic Impact – Resolution Copper (n.d.). Link
[3] Briggs, D.F. “Mining history of Globe‑Miami area, Arizona.” e‑Magazine of the AZ Geological Survey (25 Jan 2022). Link
[4] Prismo Metals. Hot Breccia Copper Project – Arizona (presentation, 2023). Link
[5] Yeoman, David. “Junior Explorer Targets Deep Porphyry System in Arizona’s Copper Triangle.” Crux Investor (3 Feb 2025). Link
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