Exploration is not mining.

Redhawk is in the process of exploring for a potential new copper ​deposit approximately 8 miles east of Mammoth, Arizona. ​Exploration is a distinctly different phase from mining, which involves ​minimal disturbance and small footprint work confined to drill pads ​across Redhawk’s private land and adjacent state and federal lands.

For those who are familiar with drilling to install water wells, this ​work is similar in nature. This drilling receives cylinders of rock which ​is known as core, this core is then analyzed for a suite of elements, ​in the case of our project, copper, to determine if the concentrations ​are sufficient to be potentially economic for extraction.

Should a mine be proposed for development, this would involve a ​robust public ​consultation process where members of the ​community and other interested ​stakeholders are consulted.

Redhawk’s land is located 8 miles east of ​Mammoth along the Copper Creek Road. ​Exploration drilling activities are not visible ​from the town. It is important to note that ​other mining and exploration companies ​that are not associated with us are working ​in the area.

Redhawk’s drilling and other activities are regulated by the Bureau of Land ​Management (BLM), the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), the ​Arizona State Land Department (ASLD), and the Arizona Department of ​Environmental Quality (ADEQ). We strictly adhere to all permit requirements for ​drilling activities.

This means working closely with other water users in the area to ensure that our ​activities align with the long-term water balance in the region.

Currently, Redhawk only utilizes water pumped from privately registered wells for ​drilling activities, which is then directed back down the drill holes during drilling, known ​as recirculation. As a result, over 95% of the water pumped for drilling purposes goes ​back into the ground where it came from, with the remainder being evaporated. All of ​this activity is permitted and regulated by government authorities. One drill rig typically ​uses less than the equivalent of four household’s worth of water each month.

Redhawk is also currently studying and collecting data on local surface and ​​groundwater, including flow and groundwater elevation data. These studies will help us ​​better understand the local water conditions including water quality and quantity.

Redhawk has completed a biological evaluation as ​part of its drill permitting process on federal lands, ​including a review of species and plants. Cultural ​studies, including tribal engagement, site visits, and ​archeological surveys, are ongoing.

Redhawk will continue to provide open access to Copper Creek Road as ​long as it is safe to do so. During periods of heavy equipment movement ​or road maintenance, the road on private land may be temporarily closed. ​Signage indicating possible intermittent road closure will be installed in ​the appropriate areas.

We ask that the public access Redhawk’s private land portions of Copper ​Creek Road with respect for the land and natural environment. The public ​must adhere to all posted signage. Failure to do so may result in the road ​being closed to the public.

While it is too early in the process to determine if the Redhawk Exploration project will ​become a mine, it is important to understand the potential impact of this project on the ​region. We recently commissioned an economic impact study to better understand ​these impacts. The study concluded that Redhawk would have an impact of $14.2 ​billion when looking at direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts. This is the ​equivalent of 14 Super Bowls to eastern Pinal County. The project would also result in ​nearly $90 million in personal income for Arizona residents, as well as $1.6 billion in ​local, county, state, and federal taxes and create approximately 1,200 local ​employment opportunities.

With heavy demand for copper from utility grid ​improvements, manufacturing of electric vehicles, national ​security, and other uses, the U.S. needs steady sources of ​domestic production. As Pinal County grows its ​manufacturing base in response to meeting domestic ​production demands, Redhawk sees an opportunity to be ​the first link in the supply chain.

Mining isn’t new to the Copper Corridor and it’s not new to ​the areas we are exploring on. Our project area has been ​host to mining activities since the late 1800s. The access ​roads and trails that both we and the public use are the ​result of these historical mining activities.

Some of our site evaluation work includes planning for the ​reclamation of mining activity that long pre-dates our work. ​Our aim: leave it better than we found it.

At this stage of the project, there is no definitive destination for where ​any minerals that would be produced at the site will end up. The robust ​public process of permitting a mine means that any potential operations ​would be far in the future and difficult to be considered today. That said, ​our preference is to keep any copper concentrate produced at the site ​as close as possible to the operation.

Does your community service organization serve the Copper ​Corridor? If so, we’d love to learn more about how we might help ​your cause.

Drop us a line at: community@redhawkexploration.com

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