The underground mine connection ramp is expected to improve ventilation at San Ignacio, reduce haulage times to the Bolanitos processing facility, and lower operating costs through better haulage rates. Guanajuato Silver has described the completion as a first step in the broader integration of the San Ignacio mine into the Bolanitos mines complex.

• The 267-metre underground connection ramp links San Ignacio to the Lucero area within the Bolanitos mines complex.
• Expected benefits include improved access, ventilation and reduced haulage times.
• The ramp supports the broader integration of San Ignacio into the Bolanitos mines complex.

Underground Connection Targets Better Haulage and Ventilation

The underground mine connection ramp is designed to improve access from San Ignacio to the Bolanitos processing facility. By reducing haulage distances, the company expects shorter cycle times and simpler material movement between the two operations. Guanajuato Silver plans to install a loading pocket at San Ignacio, which is intended to reduce transfer points and allow the use of larger haulage equipment.

Rick Trotman, Senior Vice-President, Mining Operations, described the completion as an early milestone in combining the two operations. “The completion of this connection tunnel is the first of many synergistic improvements that are planned as we move forward with a combined operation at the Bolanitos mines complex, which will include San Ignacio. This connection will allow us to increase ventilation at San Ignacio, while providing Bolanitos with access to mineralized material with cheaper haulage and better cycle times. As we move towards the end of the year, we will continue to methodically interconnect these operations with respect to the creation of a combined geologic model, updated resources and reserves, a full property-wide exploration plan, 2027 mine forecasts, and a new life of mine model. The amalgamation of San Ignacio into the Bolanitos mines complex has always been our plan, and now the two mines are connected underground.”

Mineralized Veins Prompt Follow-Up Drilling

During development of the underground mine connection ramp, crews encountered several mineralized structures, including veins associated with projections of the Cecilia vein system. Guanajuato Silver identified Cecilia veins #1, #3, #4 and #6 among the structures exposed during construction.

Reported assay results included Cecilia vein #4 returning 3.25 metres grading 6.02 g/t gold and 145 g/t silver, and Cecilia vein #3 returning 1.3 metres grading 2.68 g/t gold and 15 g/t silver. Analytical work was initially performed by the company’s own laboratory at the Bolanitos mine, which is not independent. Guanajuato Silver has submitted additional random samples, representing approximately 20% of analytical samples, to an independent ISO-certified laboratory for validation, though results had not been received as of the announcement date.

• Mineralized structures were encountered during development of the connection ramp.
• Identified veins include Cecilia veins #1, #3, #4 and #6.
• Cecilia vein #4 returned 3.25 metres grading 6.02 g/t gold and 145 g/t silver.
• Cecilia vein #3 returned 1.3 metres grading 2.68 g/t gold and 15 g/t silver.
• Guanajuato Silver has initiated a drilling program to investigate potential resource additions from the encountered mineralization.

The proposed development would be situated on approximately 97 acres of underutilized Army land at the depot. Under this graphite processing framework, the facility would leverage established infrastructure, existing site access and coordinated utilities planning already available within the defense installation.

• Empire State Mines would develop, finance, build, own and operate the proposed facility
• Phase I production is planned for Purified Micronized Graphite (PMG)
• Coated Spherical Purified Graphite (CSPG) is planned following customer qualifications
• The proposed lease framework contemplates an initial 50-year term with two additional 25-year renewal options
• Potential total operating tenure could reach up to 100 years, subject to the definitive Enhanced Use Lease

“Agreeing to this commercial framework with the U.S. Army is a significant milestone in Titan’s strategy to build a fully integrated American graphite supply chain. Developing within an existing Army installation provides important infrastructure and strategic advantages and creates a pathway to establish large-scale domestic graphite processing without having to develop an entirely new industrial site from the ground up.

Importantly, this is more than securing a site. The proposed framework combines long-duration site control, strategic U.S. defense infrastructure and financing flexibility with Kilbourne’s domestic natural flake graphite resource, our existing operating infrastructure and expertise in New York, and our growing customer qualification programs. Together, these elements provide a pathway to build a secure American graphite supply chain from mine through value-added purified graphite products.

With the potential for up to 100 years of site tenure, we are establishing the foundation for a long-term domestic processing platform capable of supporting U.S. defense, advanced manufacturing and energy supply chains for decades to come.” said Rita Adiani, President and Chief Executive Officer of Titan Mining Corporation.

Proposed Lease Structure and Army Procurement Rights

The graphite processing framework is designed to accommodate project financing while offering long-duration site control within strategic U.S. defense infrastructure. Under the proposed terms, the Army would hold a right of first offer to purchase certain uncommitted PMG and CSPG produced at the facility. That right would be limited to a maximum of 10 percent of annual facility production and would remain subject to applicable federal procurement requirements. This does not constitute a binding offtake agreement.

“The ability to process critical minerals on U.S. soil is a national-defense priority required for munitions, missiles, sensors, batteries, and the platforms our Soldiers depend on. Leveraging our legal authorities and land, the U.S. Army is able to help nurture and expedite the growth of critical minerals industrial base which equips and sustains America’s Soldiers without putting any taxpayer dollars at risk.” said Dr. Jeff Waksman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.

The facility is intended to produce value-added natural graphite products that support U.S. defense, industrial and energy supply chains. Its placement within an existing Army installation is designed to reduce the burden of developing an entirely new industrial site.

Conditions Remaining and Parallel Developments

The definitive Enhanced Use Lease has not yet been executed. Completion of the agreement remains subject to customary conditions, including development and energy operating plans, environmental and regulatory matters, appraisal and valuation requirements, project financing, Titan Board approval, and applicable Army and Congressional processes.

• Additional site diligence continues at Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas and Fort Drum in New York
• Titan is advancing the Kilbourne Graphite Project separately, including its Feasibility Study
• Customer qualification programs and commercial development activities at Kilbourne continue in parallel

The domestic graphite supply chain has drawn increasing attention as a national priority, and this graphite processing framework represents a structured step in that direction. The parties will now continue working toward execution of the definitive Enhanced Use Lease and completion of remaining project development requirements.

Established Underground Copper Silver Mine with Significant Infrastructure

The Cozamin mine has operated continuously for approximately 20 years, making it one of the more durable underground copper silver mine operations in the region. The site includes established mining, processing and tailings infrastructure, with a processing capacity of 4,400 tonnes per day. The operation accesses ore through two ramp declines and a shaft, supported by surface infrastructure that was modernized in recent years with the completion of a paste backfill and filtered tailings system alongside an upgraded underground haulage loop.

This copper mine acquisition gives Luca Mining direct access to a productive belt of epithermal and mesothermal vein deposits. Mineralization at Cozamin remains open at depth and along strike across two principal structures, including the primary vein system with a mapped strike length of 5.5 kilometres and a higher-grade footwall zone discovered in 2010. Historical resource and reserve estimates previously disclosed for the mine remain subject to verification and are not currently being treated as current Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves under NI 43-101 standards.

Planned Exploration and Potential Mine Life Extension Following Closing

The copper mine acquisition is expected to serve as a platform for expanded exploration activity. Following closing, Luca Mining plans to increase exploration investment at Cozamin beyond the site’s recent annual budget, with the objective of extending the mine’s operational life beyond the historical 2030 mine plan. Substantial portions of the mineralized systems at depth and along strike remain underexplored, and the company has identified this as a key area of focus going forward.

In addition to exploration, Luca Mining intends to evaluate the potential restart of an existing zinc flotation circuit at the Cozamin site. The circuit is currently inactive, and any restart decision would follow a full assessment of base metal market conditions and operational feasibility. This evaluation is planned for after the transaction closes and does not represent an operational change that has already taken place.

The Cozamin mine acquisition deal strengthens Luca Mining’s exposure to copper and silver production in Zacatecas Mexico and adds a proven producing asset to its portfolio. The copper mine acquisition, valued at up to US$385 million in total potential consideration, is one of the more significant recent transactions in Mexico’s mining sector. The closing of the deal remains contingent on regulatory approvals and customary conditions, with the fourth quarter of 2026 targeted for completion.

The new Texas rare earth mineral leases are expected to generate more than $500,000 in immediate revenue for the Texas Permanent School Fund, providing a direct financial benefit to public education while simultaneously supporting domestic critical minerals supply chain development. The leases represent a meaningful expansion of state land committed to rare earth exploration and future production in far West Texas.

New Leases Strengthen the Round Top Project and Rare Earth Mining District

The Round Top Project, located in Hudspeth County, is recognized as a significant deposit containing 16 of the 17 rare earth elements. It is considered a particularly important source of heavy rare earth elements such as dysprosium and terbium. These materials play essential roles in the manufacture of high-performance permanent magnets used across defense systems, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and other advanced industrial technologies.

By signing the Texas rare earth mineral leases, the General Land Office is helping to formalize what is intended to become the state’s first dedicated rare earth mining district. El Paso Minerals Corp. now holds additional acreage in the district alongside its existing private leases, expanding the overall land position dedicated to rare earth exploration in the region. The Round Top Project is targeting commercial production in 2028, though this remains a projected milestone rather than a confirmed operational date.

The development comes amid growing national attention to the need for reliable domestic sources of critical minerals. For years, the United States has depended heavily on foreign suppliers for rare earth elements, and efforts to build out a domestic critical minerals supply chain have gained momentum at both the federal and state level.

Federal and State Support Behind the Round Top Development

The Round Top Project has attracted broader governmental backing aimed at establishing a complete mine-to-magnet supply chain within the United States. Earlier, an allocation of up to $1.6 billion was announced in connection with the Round Top development, intended to support the full lifecycle from extraction through processing and finished product manufacturing. This funding allocation preceded the latest Texas rare earth mineral leases and reflects the strategic importance placed on reducing reliance on foreign sources for heavy rare earth elements.

The Texas General Land Office has positioned the state as a key player in domestic rare earth development through responsible stewardship of state-owned lands. The latest Texas rare earth mineral leases with El Paso Minerals Corp. build on earlier efforts that established the Round Top site as a nationally significant rare earth mining district prospect.

With the two new leases now signed, the focus turns to upcoming exploration activities, including planned drilling on primary targets within the expanded leasehold. The development timeline, the scale of the deposit, and the strategic value of heavy rare earth elements like dysprosium and terbium all contribute to the significance of this rare earth mining district for the broader critical minerals supply chain in the United States.

Crawford is located approximately 40 km north of Timmins, Ontario, and represents the world’s second largest nickel resource and reserve. It is also the first mine to receive Impact Assessment Agency of Canada approval through the new Major Projects Office, a distinction that underscores the project’s significance within the country’s critical minerals strategy.

The growing global demand for critical minerals is driving new investment in Canadian mining, and the Crawford nickel project stands at the centre of that momentum. The selection of SMS Equipment and Komatsu reflects Canada Nickel’s strategic approach to building an autonomous haulage fleet and mining-support infrastructure designed to maximize safety, productivity and sustainability across the life of the operation.

Fleet Selection Covers Conventional and Autonomous Mining Operations

SMS Equipment has been working alongside Canada Nickel to develop an equipment strategy that covers both conventional and autonomous mining operations. The plan is built around deploying Komatsu’s proven mine automation and electrification technologies at Crawford. Komatsu was selected in part for its track record in delivering autonomous haulage fleet systems and advanced mining equipment to large-scale operations globally.

Robin Heard, President and CEO of SMS Equipment, described Crawford as “one of the most exciting new mining projects in Canada.” He added that SMS Equipment, together with Komatsu, looks forward to partnering with Canada Nickel to advance safe, sustainable and low-carbon nickel production that contributes directly to the world’s need for critical resources.

Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel, highlighted the potential value that could be unlocked by applying Komatsu’s technologies at Crawford. He noted that SMS Equipment’s experience implementing these technologies at other Canadian operations, combined with its demonstrated commitment to the project, can substantially de-risk both the start-up phase and ongoing operation of the mine.

Rod Bull, CEO of Komatsu North America, said Komatsu is committed to partnering with SMS Equipment and Canada Nickel to develop a world-class mining operation at Crawford, bringing advanced mining equipment and technologies to support safe, efficient and productive operations.

Path Toward Construction and Implementation

SMS Equipment is the largest independent Komatsu dealer, with more than 2,700 employees across Canada and Alaska. The company brings extensive experience supporting greenfield mine development and has the scale and capabilities required to maintain operations throughout their full lifecycles. Its recent expansion in Timmins further strengthens its ability to support major mining projects in the region with mine automation expertise and service infrastructure.

Heard noted that as Canada Nickel looks toward construction of the Crawford Project, the focus will be on successful implementation, which includes bringing the autonomous haulage fleet and associated technologies into operation, training Canada Nickel’s teams and optimizing performance so the full value of the investment can be realized over the life of the nickel project. Definitive agreements with SMS Equipment and Komatsu are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2027.

Ownership, Location and Operational Profile

The Portland Canal Marine Terminal is co-owned by the Nisga’a Nation, Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC), and Arrow Transportation Systems. Located in Stewart, near the Golden Triangle, the facility is a fully permitted deep-sea terminal capable of handling approximately 300,000 tonnes of copper concentrate and gold concentrate annually.

The terminal offers all-weather marine operations and direct highway access across Northwest British Columbia and the Yukon, positioning it as a strategic node for critical minerals transportation across the broader region. Its deep-sea capabilities allow direct shipment of mineral products to global buyers, removing logistical barriers that have historically constrained export routes from the area.

Acquisition and Provincial Funding

The partnership acquired the Portland Canal Marine Terminal in 2025. The Province of British Columbia supported the project with a C$5 million grant through its Northwest Strategy. This funding is directed toward port modernisation, wharf expansion, terminal development, expanded services, long-term storage, and workforce-enabling infrastructure.

President of the Nisga’a Nation Eva Clayton described the official opening as a significant milestone, demonstrating the strength of Indigenous leadership, partnership, and economic self-determination. “Our partnership with the Tahltan Nation and Arrow Transportation demonstrates what can be achieved when Indigenous Nations and industry work together to build meaningful economic opportunities,” Clayton said. “This terminal provides an important gateway to global markets and strengthens the infrastructure needed to support the growing critical minerals sector in Northwest British Columbia.”

Tahltan Nation Development Corporation CEO Todd den Engelsen said the partnership underscores a shared commitment to regional development. “The acquisition of the Port of Stewart Bulk terminal and the creation of a transportation business is more than infrastructure. It is a gateway to global markets, improved logistics, and economic growth for the Tahltan and Nisga’a Nations, our partners, and Canada as a whole,” den Engelsen said.

Critical Minerals Transportation and Supply Chain Connectivity

The terminal’s capacity and connectivity give it a central role in the critical minerals supply chain for Northwest British Columbia. With the Golden Triangle hosting significant copper and gold deposits, the Portland Canal Marine Terminal provides producers in the region with a reliable, permitted export route. Its highway links to the Yukon further extend the catchment area for critical minerals transportation, connecting remote operations to a functional deep-sea port.

The Indigenous-owned port model adopted here reflects a growing trend in British Columbia mining where First Nations take direct ownership stakes in infrastructure that supports resource development on or near their traditional territories. This approach ties economic participation directly to the facilities that enable critical minerals transportation rather than limiting involvement to benefit agreements alone.

Reinforcing Mining Infrastructure in British Columbia

The opening of the Portland Canal Marine Terminal adds a significant piece of mining infrastructure to British Columbia’s northwest corridor. By combining Indigenous ownership with deep-sea shipping capability and substantial provincial investment, the terminal is positioned to serve as a long-term gateway for copper concentrate and gold concentrate exports. As demand for critical minerals transportation capacity grows alongside exploration and development activity in the Golden Triangle and surrounding regions, the facility addresses a tangible infrastructure need for the province’s mining sector.

The funding is being delivered through the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) as part of the DOE’s Mine of the Future initiative. The program seeks to create domestic testing environments where new mining technology can be demonstrated and validated under real-world conditions before moving toward broader commercial use.

The four selected projects span a range of focus areas, including mine automation, connectivity, electrification, drilling, sensing, comminution, and energy management. Each project is intended to provide physical testing infrastructure where emerging solutions can be trialed in realistic mining settings.

Four Projects Selected Under the Initiative

Innovative Wireless Technologies will build a national testbed spanning sites in Colorado, West Virginia, and Virginia. The testbed will combine underground and surface mining environments to evaluate next-generation digital, connectivity, and mine automation technologies.

The University of Arizona will develop an underground testbed in Sahuarita, Arizona, with a focus on electrification and energy-management technologies. The facility aims to support the transition of mining technology from development stages toward commercial deployment, while also targeting improvements in productivity and energy efficiency.

The Curators of the University of Missouri will create a multifunctional proving ground in Rolla, Missouri, integrating underground technology testing with advanced comminution research. This facility will also serve as a platform for workforce development related to next-generation mining innovation.

Southern Methodist University will establish what the DOE describes as the world’s first synthetic mine, located at an existing drilling and sensing test facility in Navasota, Texas. The project will offer a controlled environment for testing mining equipment, automation systems, and operational workflows before they are deployed in the field.

Broader Context for Critical Minerals Investment

The DOE says these projects are designed to accelerate the commercialization of mining technology while reducing US reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals.

“Investing in moving cutting-edge mining technologies out of the lab and into the field will help unleash America’s vast mineral resources,” US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright says. “President Trump is committed to rebuilding America’s mining industry, reducing our dependence on foreign adversaries, and securing the critical minerals that are foundational to our energy, manufacturing, and national security.”

Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson says establishing real-world testing grounds will help accelerate technological breakthroughs across the domestic mining industry. “These investments will prove that American innovation can redefine what’s possible in modern mining,” Robertson says.

This mining technology funding follows a series of recent DOE investments in US critical mineral supply chains. Last month, the department selected seven projects for US$500 million in DOE funding to expand critical mineral processing, battery manufacturing, and recycling capacity. It also announced US$162 million for nine projects targeting the recovery of materials including scandium, copper, antimony, and rare earth elements from industrial feedstocks. Separately, DOE’s Critical Materials Innovation Hub awarded US$10 million to seven early-stage research projects focused on technologies for rare earths, gallium, copper, and other critical minerals.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed a new joint declaration with Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during a visit to Nuuk, updating the cooperation framework that had been in place since 2015. The revised agreement expands the scope of EU-Greenland-Denmark relations to cover infrastructure, clean energy production, digital connectivity, and sustainable raw materials alongside longstanding areas of collaboration such as education, fisheries, and the environment.

Mining Support Targets Graphite and Molybdenum Value Chains

Within the broader €200 million package, a dedicated portion of the funds will be directed toward promoting sustainable mining projects connected to European industry. Rather than financing mine construction directly, the EU’s approach centers on conducting technical analyses and attracting investors to build what the Commission described as more integrated and resilient value chains for Critical Raw Materials.

The Commission cited graphite and molybdenum as examples of Greenland’s mineral potential, noting that collaboration on these resources could contribute to strengthening supply security for European industries. The European Commission and the Greenlandic Government have agreed on an initial list of projects, with additional investments from the package currently being assessed.

Beyond mining, the investment will also support the expansion of Greenland’s satellite communications capacity through European providers over the next five years, and fund feasibility studies for establishing data centers on the island. Clean energy investments will back a program by Greenland’s energy company Nukissiorfiit to modernize and decarbonize electricity supply in remote locations using hybrid renewable energy systems. The remaining resources will prepare new programs in sustainable tourism and housing, both identified as priorities for economic diversification and growth on the island.

Proposed Budget Increase Signals Long-Term EU Commitment

Looking further ahead, the European Commission has proposed allocating €530 million for Greenland in the EU budget covering 2028 to 2034. This represents more than double the €225 million assigned under the current 2021–2027 financial framework. It is important to note that this larger figure remains a proposal and has not yet been formally approved.

The updated cooperation framework between the EU, Greenland, and Denmark reflects a growing recognition of Greenland’s strategic importance for European supply chains and Arctic engagement. By channeling support through technical assistance, investor attraction, and infrastructure development, the EU aims to foster sustainable mining activity on the island while ensuring that Critical Raw Materials value chains become more resilient. The expanded investment scope, covering everything from clean energy to digital connectivity, underscores a comprehensive approach to partnering with Greenland on long-term economic development rooted in sustainability.

House Passage and FAST-41 Eligibility

FAST-41 was originally established under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act in 2015 as a coordinated federal permitting process for major infrastructure projects. The program is designed to deliver greater interagency coordination, more predictable permitting timelines, and increased transparency throughout the federal permitting process.

While mining is already treated as an eligible sector under existing FAST-41 regulations, the passage of H.R. 1501 through the House would codify that eligibility directly in federal law. By embedding mining project permitting eligibility into the statute itself, the legislation would make it substantially more difficult for any future administration to reverse the policy through regulatory action alone. The bill’s scope extends beyond critical minerals such as lithium, rare earths, antimony, and tungsten. Mining and mineral processing projects involving a wider range of commodities could potentially seek coverage under the FAST-41 framework if the legislation becomes law.

What the Legislation Would Change

H.R. 1501 would effectively overturn a Biden-era proposal that sought to limit FAST-41 eligibility in the mining sector to projects involving the mining, processing, or recycling of certain specific minerals. That proposal, however, was never finalised. Under the legislation, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council would be prohibited from administering or enforcing the proposed rule, and mining and mineral processing would instead be explicitly written into the FAST Act itself.

The broader eligibility provisions mean that mining project permitting under the accelerated federal permitting framework would not be restricted to commodities on the US critical minerals list. This represents a wider approach to mining legislation and permitting reform than previous proposals that focused narrowly on strategic minerals.

The legislation aligns with ongoing efforts by the current administration to strengthen domestic mineral supply chains and reduce delays in developing new mines and mineral processing facilities. Federal permitting reform has been central to that strategy, as lengthy approval timelines have historically added years to the development of mining projects across the country.

Next Legislative Steps and Industry Context

Despite passing the House, H.R. 1501 still needs to clear the Senate and receive presidential signature before it can become law. The bill is not yet enacted, and its path through the Senate remains to be determined.

The legislation has not advanced without opposition. Arizona Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva spoke against H.R. 1501 on the House floor, raising environmental concerns about the potential impacts of accelerating mine approvals. Grijalva proposed an amendment that would have required robust, meaningful, and enforceable consultation with potentially affected Tribal Nations before a mining project could become eligible for expedited federal permitting under FAST-41. Her amendment highlighted ongoing debates about balancing the acceleration of mining legislation with environmental protections and community engagement.

The outcome in the Senate will determine whether the codification of mineral processing and mining eligibility under the FAST-41 framework moves from legislative proposal to federal law, shaping the future landscape of mining permitting across the United States.

The approval followed the agency’s Final Record of Decision, which concluded that the project would feature the smallest possible disturbance area and reduce impacts on environmental resources.

South32 Receives Federal Approval for Hermosa Mine Plan

The Hermosa mine approval establishes the federal parameters under which South32 may build and operate supporting facilities on Forest Service land. These facilities are necessary for the project’s complete advancement beyond its private holdings and include the main access route, a secondary dry-stack tailings storage site, and additional auxiliary functions.

Arizona had previously granted its own permission for the mining operation, enabling work on company-owned land to advance to approximately the midpoint. Construction on private land is already about half done, according to the company.

Hermosa is the first mining initiative to be added to, included under, and completed within the federal FAST-41 permitting framework. That system is set aside for ventures that must satisfy specific standards to demonstrate their value to the nation amid the accelerating contest for critical minerals.

Federal Approval Covers Key Project Infrastructure

The federal sign-off covers structures that traverse public territory, including a high-voltage power line, another entry road, tailings containment, and water outflow locations on Forest Service land.

South32 Hermosa intends to launch preliminary earthmoving tasks and surveys to support exploration drilling and geotechnical studies within the next few weeks, marking the initial on-the-ground work made possible by the federal clearance.

South32 Hermosa’s president said the Hermosa mine approval transforms years of preparation, environmental review, consultation, and permitting into tangible progress. He thanked the workforce, government collaborators, and the Forest Service for their dedication to finishing the approval process thoroughly and on schedule. Securing the signed Mine Plan of Operations enables the company to start constructing the infrastructure required to complete the project, he added.

High-ranking federal officials, including delegates from the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, gathered with South32 staff and regional stakeholders at Hermosa to commemorate the achievement.

The USDA Deputy Secretary said the department and the Forest Service are dedicated to advancing permits according to corporate schedules rather than bureaucratic ones, noting that initiatives like Hermosa bolster national security by decreasing dependence on foreign sources for critical minerals.

Hermosa Advances Toward Zinc Production

Hermosa contains one of the world’s largest untapped zinc reserves, a manganese deposit suitable for batteries, and the newly identified Peak copper find. Collectively, these assets could sustain a potential 70-year lifespan yielding five minerals classified as critical by the federal government.

Underground zinc extraction is slated to start in late 2027, with initial zinc output from the mill expected in the first half of 2028. Arizona mining activity at the site is set to ramp up as South32 Hermosa advances construction across both private and Forest Service land following the federal mine-plan approval.