The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has now issued Florence Copper a draft Aquifer Protection Permit, one of two key permits required to advance to commercial production of copper.

This is welcome news and we are pleased this important step has now been taken.

The draft permit will now undergo a 30-day public comment period including a virtual public hearing on September 9^th at 6 PM.

The sole purpose of building and operating the Production Test Facility (PTF) was to prove its environmental safety.It has operated continuously now for over 18 months and the results have been an unqualified success.ADEQ’s draft permit reflects that achievement.

Under the careful and watchful eyes of ADEQ and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the copper extraction process has met every production and environmental protection expectation.

• There has been no negative impact on drinking water.
• The process is proven to be environmentally sound.
• Mining solutions have always been controlled.

• The science, the engineering and the modelling predictions have all proven to be accurate.

One state official described the Florence Copper project as the most regulated, controlled, monitored, and studied piece of property in the state.

Moving to commercial production is where the full collective value and community benefit will finally be realized.

Opportunities like this are rare.The deposit can produce 85 million pounds of copper each year for the next 25 years.This means lasting opportunity for the residents of Florence -- high-paying jobs and millions in revenues generated each year for our local economy.

You have been an important contact for us.Your confidence in our project has proven to be well placed.

We hope to be able to count on you again during this final public hearing process.It’s important your voice is heard, either in writing or “in-person” during the virtual public hearing on September 9^th.

FOR FULL DETAILS ON HOW TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.