Dear Reader,

GBR is delighted to present the “Arizona Mining 2022” special report, GBR’s first ever report on the Grand Canyon State. Arizona has a century-long history of mining, but the momentum for “green” and critical minerals, sparked in recent years by ambitious environmental goals and the transition away from fossil fuel-based economies, has today highlighted the importance on the whole value chain of the Arizona mining industry.

With the ongoing geopolitical turmoil emphasizing the importance of minerals as energy security assets, there are no doubts regarding the importance of Arizona in helping the US secure its supply chain of minerals. Arizona represents around 71% of the total US production of copper, justifying its “Copper State” title. The state has firm potential to become a national leader in various non-fuel minerals and is equally endowed with REEs crucial for the defense sector, as well as technologies key to our modern societies. Lithium exploration projects and uranium production further reinforce Arizona’s status as a state capable of leading the charge toward the energy transition.

A regular among the top 10 mining jurisdictions in the world, Arizona ranked 5th in the 2021 Fraser Institute Investment Attractiveness Index. Nevertheless, Arizona suffers from a nationwide handicap in the US: the length of the permitting process. Several current development projects highlight the dilemma between the increased stringency of environmental restrictions and increased public scrutiny on companies’ social licenses to operate against the need to produce minerals needed for decarbonization goals.

In an effort to make mines more efficient, sustainable and safer, producers and explorers can rely on a widespread network of service providers, environmental consultants and technology firms. Historically lagging in terms of automation adoption rates and technological penetration within mine operations, mining firms in the southwestern US now appear intent on accelerating their use of innovative solutions.

From on-the-ground research at mining sites to in-person meetings with key industry players, GBR’s research team traveled through the Grand Canyon State to gather insights from 45 interviewees to produce this guide. The following pages present a reflection of a growing mining industry that has the potential to sustain its leading role in the US minerals market, and whose actors are determined to push the drive towards electrifying modern society in a sustainable way.

We thank each of our interviewees as well as our association partners, and we sincerely hope you enjoy the read.