Mining News | 2026-11-05 04:56:44
Copper production is projected to rise by approximately 225 million pounds annually to more than 400 million pounds.
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Freeport-McMoRan has approved a $4.5 billion investment to expand and modernize its Bagdad copper and molybdenum operation in northwestern Arizona. The development marks a major step forward in the company's U.S. copper production growth strategy.
The project is expected to more than double the mine's mining and milling capacity, positioning Bagdad as the second-largest copper mine in the United States. Copper production is projected to rise by approximately 225 million pounds annually to more than 400 million pounds. Molybdenum output is also expected to increase by 12 million pounds a year, exceeding 20 million pounds annually.
Freeport president and CEO Kathleen Quirk described the investment as a low-risk brownfield development, leveraging the mine's substantial reserves, established infrastructure, long operating history and skilled workforce. The expansion would play a significant role in strengthening domestic supply of copper and molybdenum, Quirk added.
The modernization programme includes additional...