Resolution Copper, a joint venture owned by BHP (45%) and Rio Tinto (55% - operator), and the United States Forest Service (USFS) have announced completion of a Federal land exchange. This milestone enables the next phase of technical work and development planning for the Resolution Copper project, one of the most significant undeveloped copper resources in the United States.

Brandon Craig, BHP President Americas said: “The land exchange is an important step forward to advance essential development work at Resolution Copper and help secure the copper needed to power the economy and build critical infrastructure. Resolution Copper has the potential to be the largest copper mine in the US, and a game changer for US domestic supply for hundreds of industries. It is positioned to be an engine for economic growth in the US — creating thousands of high value local jobs and billions in economic activity nationwide”

Through the land exchange, Resolution Copper has received approximately 2,400 acres of land adjacent to the historic Magma Copper mine and above the orebody necessary to advance the project. In exchange, Resolution Copper has transferred approximately 5,400 acres of environmentally sensitive and culturally important land to be incorporated in National Conservation Areas for long‑term conservation, and for habitat, cultural heritage protection, and recreational use.

The land exchange follows a Congressionally mandated process that began in 2014 and included extensive consultation with Native American Tribes, local communities, and government agencies. As the project progresses, Resolution Copper will continue engagement with communities and Tribes as further technical studies and permitting activities advance.

With the land exchange complete, Resolution Copper will continue phased technical work to further understand the orebody, the scale of the opportunity, and inform future investment decisions by the project partners. BHP’s decision-making is guided by our Capital Allocation Framework and is contingent upon satisfying both commercial and social value considerations.