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Location: 12 km NE from Safford, Arizona, United States
3443 E U.S. Hwy 70SaffordArizona, United States85546
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The Safford mine includes three copper deposits that have oxide mineralization overlaying primary copper sulfide mineralization. The predominant oxide copper minerals are chrysocolla and copper-bearing iron oxides with the predominant copper sulfide material being chalcopyrite.
Safford mine is an open-pit copper mining complex that has been in operation since 2007. In recent years (as of 2025), Lone Star has been the only Safford deposit actively being mined. In early 2026, limited mining production resumed in the San Juan deposit.Freeport continue to advance pre-feasibility studies in the Safford/Lone Star district to define a potential significant expansion opportunity. Positive drilling conducted in recent years indicates a large, mineralized district with opportunities to pursue a significant expansion project. Company expect to complete these studies during 2026. The decision to proceed with and timing of the potential expansion will take into account results of technical and economic studies, overall copper market conditions and other factors.The available mining fleet consists of haul trucks loaded by electric shovels, which are capable of moving an average of 435,000 metric tons of material per day.The highest bench elevation is 1,783 meters above sea level and the ultimate pit bottom is expected to have an elevation of 716 meters above sea level.Operations Update (as of Q4 2025)Construction and commissioning of fine ore stockpile facility are complete (adding 65,000- ton surge capacity), improving operational resilience.Lone Star StockpilePhase two of the Lone Star leach stockpile was completed in spring 2025, supporting production plans.
Safford is a leach operation that consists of a SX/EW facility with a capacity of approximately 320 million pounds of copper cathode per year from a 104,300 metric-ton-per-day crushing facility and a ROM leaching operation. The crushed ore is delivered to a leach pad by a series of overland and portable conveyors. A sulfur burner plant is also in operation at Safford, providing a cost-effective source of sulfuric acid used in SX/EW operations. Sulfuric acid is used in the SX/EW process and is produced as a by-product of the smelting process at smelters and from sulfur burners at the Safford mine.Operations Update (As of Q2 2025)- Lone Star Phase II Leach Pad - completed and commissioned in late April 2025.- Construction activities on Phase 2A will commence in the second half of 2025. This will increase the available footprint for ROM leaching stockpiles on the existing Safford leach pad, increasing overall production capacity for the site.Production MilestoneAs of Q4 2025, Safford achieved 'Tank House Max,' fully utilizing electrowinning rectifier capacity for maximum copper output, setting record daily and monthly production levels over summer 2025.Acid Supply StrategyAs of Q4 2025, a new acid transload facility is under study to improve logistics and reduce costs, leveraging rail access. Construction could begin mid-2026, pending regulatory approvals.
Safford water sources: Groundwater, Stormwater.Safford operations water supply comes from groundwater wells in two distinct aquifers – the Fracture Zone aquifer and the Lower Basin Fill aquifer. Both of these aquifers are distinct and isolated from the Shallow Alluvial Aquifer which is adjacent to the Gila River.Safford recycles approximately 93% of the water used each year on average. Examples of internal recycling within the processing facilities include: Use of in-pit dewatering for dust control on haul roads. Closing unneeded roadways, reducing or eliminating water usage for dust prevention.
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