Florence copper mine output tripling: production and cost lens for mine planners
Reviewed by Joe Ashwell
First reported on MINING.com
30 Second Briefing
Florence in-situ copper recovery mine in Arizona must triple output in H2 2026 to reach Trekor Metals’ 30–35 million lb annual target, after producing 6.7 million lb in the first half from about 110 wells. The operation is adding roughly 26 new wells this month, plans 80–100 wells per year towards 600–700 in total, with wells drilled to 245–275 m and current wellfield flows around 12,000 L/min at 1.6 g/L Cu. Cash costs at Florence were US$4.72/lb in Q2 versus a long-term target of about US$1.30/lb, supported by Gibraltar’s 110–115 million lb/y output at US$2.41/lb.
Technical Brief
- Florence uses weak sulphuric acid injection and recovery, eliminating open pits, waste rock and tailings.
- Arizona regulators inspect and approve every well before injection, adding a permitting step to drilling schedules.
- Five drill rigs are currently developing new well groups, with additional rigs expected later in the year.
- Each well block is expected to produce for about five years before the wellfield is shifted laterally.
- Peak configuration envisages 600–700 active wells across the orebody over a planned 22‑year mine life.
- Florence’s design capacity is 85 million lb/y, intended to materially reduce reliance on Gibraltar output.
- A fixed‑price sulphuric acid contract covers Florence’s acid demand this year, limiting reagent cost volatility.
- Gibraltar produced 30.3 million lb in Q2 at US$2.41/lb cash cost, underpinning Florence’s ramp‑up risk profile.
Our Take
With Florence copper’s 22-year mine life and a design rate of 85 million lb per year, Trekor Metals is effectively building a second long-life production pillar alongside Gibraltar, which already targets 110–115 million lb annually; this underpins the ‘North American copper platform’ strategy flagged in the 26 May 2026 rebranding piece.
The consent-based environmental assessment agreement for the Yellowhead copper project in British Columbia (17 July 2026 article) suggests Trekor is willing to accept longer permitting timelines of 3–4 years in exchange for greater certainty with Indigenous partners, contrasting with the faster ramp-up expectations at Florence in Arizona.
Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.
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