On October 6, Trekor Metals Ltd.’s Florence Copper hosted an event in Arizona to mark the onset of commercial production at the world’s first commercial-scale in-situ copper operation and the first new source of copper in the USA in nearly 20 years. Representatives of federal, state and local governments attended, including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, along with employees, community and business partners.

“After almost two decades without a new copper source anywhere in the USA, the Florence Copper mine in Arizona is now open and will produce tens of millions of pounds of copper per year and create hundreds of good-paying jobs to the community. It was great to be there in person yesterday to celebrate the mine’s opening—a huge win for Arizona’s economy and its environment,” Zeldin said.

The Florence Copper project reached several key milestones beginning with wellfield operations in 2018. The company produced its first copper cathode in 2019, before securing the final commercial Aquifer Protection Permit in 2020 and the EPA’s Underground Injection Control permit in 2023. Commercial construction began in January 2024, with the facility completed at the end of 2025. Florence Copper then commenced commercial copper production in February 2026 and achieved its first cathode harvest shortly after.

Shortly after the celebration, Trekor (formerly known as Taseko Mines) announced its third-quarter results, which included total production of 41 million lb of copper from both its Gibraltar mine and the Florence Copper production facility. The company said total copper cathode production was seven million pounds, a 36% increase over the prior period, and sales were 7 million lb.

“Solid progress on the Florence Copper ramp- up continued in the third quarter with no wellfield performance issues of any significance,” said Stuart McDonald, president and CEO of Trekor. “Initial flow rates across the wellfield continue to exceed expectations, and work is ongoing to optimize the balance between wellfield flows and PLS grade. The SX/EW plant has been operating very well, producing high-quality copper cathode with no impurities, and operated for several days last week at design capacity without issue.

“The one area where progress remains behind our initial plan is the wellfield expansion,” he continued. “Drilling rates have improved in recent months, but we are still about three months behind our original plan. We are now expecting 25 to 28 million pounds of copper production in 2026. Wells recently brought online, together with those expected to come online shortly, are anticipated to support a significant increase in cathode production, completing the ramp-up to full production capacity in early 2027. Florence Copper brings Trekor one step closer to its goal of becoming a leading North American copper producer.”

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