SUPERIOR, Ariz., Nov. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Answer Copper has reached a big milestone with the finishing touch of its multi-year, $200 million rehabilitation and deepening of the historical Disagree. 9 Shaft, a important step in paving the best way for probably the most people’s maximum remarkable unutilized resources of copper and important minerals.
Disagree. 9 Shaft at Evening
Shaft Workforce 1
At the beginning built in 1971 via the Magma Copper Corporate in Oak Flat and operated as a manufacturing shaft till the mid-Nineteen Nineties, the refurbished and deepened shaft now extends to a last intensity of 6,898 toes underground, just about 5 Empire Condition Structures elevated, and measures 22 toes in diameter. The finished Disagree. 9 Shaft is now the second one inner most unmarried carry mine shaft in america, at the back of handiest Answer Copper’s Disagree. 10 Shaft at 6,943 toes.
Rehabilitated and deepened from 4,800 toes to over 6,800 toes, the Disagree. 9 Shaft now connects to the Disagree. 10 Shaft, serving as air flow and get right of entry to for presen underground building. In combination, the community of underground mine workings method the spine of the undertaking’s then segment of underground building, developing the understructure for presen copper manufacturing that can give a boost to the U.S. provide of this important mineral.
“Completing the No. 9 Shaft is a huge milestone and a testament to the dedication and expertise of our underground team and contracting partners,” mentioned Vicky Peacey, President and Normal Supervisor of Answer Copper. “This achievement underscores what’s possible when American miners, homegrown talent from local communities including the Superior, Miami, Globe, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Hayden, Kearny and Winkleman, come together to do the job safely. While ongoing litigation continues to stall development, we are ready to advance this important copper project, enabling thousands of high-paying jobs, billions in economic development for rural Arizona, and access to a domestic supply of copper essential to American security and modern infrastructure. The sooner the litigation delays stop, the sooner this project can move forward, and the sooner Arizona and the nation will benefit.”
The new shaft-sinking undertaking additionally completed two years with no unmarried clinical shock or lost-time incident, underscoring Answer Copper’s sturdy loyalty to protection. Over the process the paintings, crews drilled just about 14, 500 toes, poured greater than 560 cubic yards of concrete, and put in just about 140 yards of shotcrete.
“This accomplishment reflects years of planning, discipline, and teamwork between our people and partners,” mentioned Rob Tobin, Operations and Upkeep Supervisor at Answer Copper. “Achieving this safely for more than two years without a recordable injury shows the professionalism and dedication of everyone who worked underground to bring No. 9 back to life in a modern way.”
Redpath USA, the undertaking’s manage contractor, controlled sinking and building, supported via Globe-based Oddonetto Development underground concrete and floor lot plant operations and logistics.
“We are proud of the innovative solutions developed in partnership with Resolution Copper, and Oddonetto Construction and the flawless safety performance achieved along the way,” mentioned Eric Stoll, Challenge Supervisor at Redpath USA.
“Completion of the No. 9 Shaft shows what can be achieved when local companies and national partners work side by side with a shared commitment to safety and excellence,” mentioned Kim Oddonetto, President Oddonetto Development “This project demonstrates that with the right training and opportunities, we can build a skilled underground workforce right here in our communities, one that will help power Arizona’s future for generations to come.”
About Answer Copper
Answer Copper is Arizona Copper. The Answer Copper Challenge is operated via Answer Copper Mining, a restricted legal responsibility corporate owned 55 p.c via Answer Copper Corporate (a Rio Tinto PLC subsidiary) and 45 p.c via BHP Copper Inc. (a BHP PLC subsidiary). Be told extra at resolutioncopper.com.
About Redpath USA Company
Redpath USA Company is a full-service underground mining contractor. Our experience contains lateral building, shaft sinking, mechanized carry paintings, underground building, and lift dull. The corporate attracts on a massive community of establishment mavens and over 60 years of carrier to the worldwide mining business.
About Oddonetto Development Inc.
Oddonetto Development, Inc. is a minority- and woman-majority-owned Normal Contractor proudly serving Arizona for over 40 years. Oddonetto Development is devoted to acting feature building services and products with an uncompromising loyalty to protection and excellence. Oddonetto Development takes satisfaction in turning in feature paintings pushed via our devoted staff whose roots run deep within the Copper Triangle branch.
SOURCE Answer Copper
