Finance
Rio tinto gains control of resolution copper acreage after years-long court fight
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 16, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 16, 2026
Quick Summary
Rio Tinto has secured control of 2,400 acres in Arizona containing over 40 billion pounds of copper after courts rejected attempts by the San Carlos Apache to block the land swap. A $500 million drilling campaign is now launching to assess production timelines.
Rio Tinto Gains Control of Resolution Copper Mine Land After Court Victory
Rio Tinto Secures Arizona Land for Resolution Copper Mine Amid Legal and Social Challenges
By Ernest Scheyder
March 16 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto said on Monday it has gained control of acreage in Arizona needed to build the Resolution Copper mine, a project slated to become one of the largest U.S. sources of the critical mineral but one that Native Americans have opposed for more than 20 years.
Background of the Land Dispute
The move marks what is likely the end of a long-running and complex legal fight in which the religious rights of the San Carlos Apache people were pitted against rising demand for copper for the energy transition and Washington's efforts to wean itself off foreign supplies.
Details of the Land Swap
Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto gave the U.S. Forest Service 5,400 acres (8.4 square miles) of land in Arizona in exchange for access to 2,400 acres that contain more than 40 billion pounds (18.1 million metric tons) of copper, a crucial building block for electric vehicles, cables, and electronic devices.
The land swap came after a U.S. appeals court last week again rejected requests to block it and the U.S. Supreme Court did not take emergency measures to step in.
Next Steps for Rio Tinto
Rio said it would now launch a $500 million drilling campaign to explore the deposit, a necessary step before the company can forecast when copper production could begin.
Native American Opposition and Legal Proceedings
Representatives for the San Carlos Apache and their attorneys were not immediately available to comment. The tribe has long said Washington had no right to the land that it swapped with Rio, going so far as to file a property lien in 2021.
Government Support for the Project
"This responsible mining project fulfills President Trump's vision of American mineral independence," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Monday. The Agriculture Department controls the U.S. Forest Service.
Court Rulings and Ongoing Resistance
Repeated Legal Challenges
COURTS REPEATEDLY REBUFFED APACHE CALLS TO BLOCK MINE
The San Carlos Apache and their allies fought for years to stop the land swap, arranged by Congress in 2014, because the mine will eventually swallow a site known as Oak Flat, or Chi'chil Biłdagoteel in the Apache language, where many worship their deities.
Multiple courts, including the Supreme Court, have repeatedly rejected their requests to block Resolution.
Political and Public Reactions
Trump publicly voiced support for the project last August. In a post on his Truth Social platform at the time, he said those who opposed the mine "are Anti-American, and representing other copper competitive Countries."
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
Investment and Production Outlook
Rio and minority partner BHP Group have spent more than $2 billion on the project without producing any copper.
Statements from Stakeholders
"As demand for copper continues to grow, projects like Resolution can play an important role in strengthening domestic supply chains," said Katie Jackson, head of Rio's copper business.
BHP, which controls 45% of the project to Rio's 55%, said that Resolution "is positioned to be an engine for economic growth in the U.S., creating thousands of high-value, local jobs and billions in economic activity nationwide."
(Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; additional reporting by Nate Raymond and John Kruzel; Editing by Sonali Paul)
Key Takeaways
- •The land swap—mandated by Congress in 2014—exchanges 5,400 acres from Rio Tinto for 2,400 acres of Tonto National Forest containing vast copper reserves (en.wikipedia.org).
- •Courts, including an emergency appeal and the U.S. Supreme Court, have repeatedly refused to block the exchange, despite strong opposition from the San Carlos Apache and Apache Stronghold over religious concerns (apnews.com).
- •Rio Tinto will now commence a $500 million drilling program to explore the deposit, which could supply up to 25% of U.S. copper demand and support the clean energy transition (energynews.oedigital.com).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Rio Tinto gains control of Resolution Copper acreage after years-long court fight
1What is the Resolution Copper mine project?
The Resolution Copper mine is an Arizona mining project set to become a major U.S. copper source, led by Rio Tinto and BHP.
2Why has the Resolution Copper project been controversial?
Native Americans, particularly the San Carlos Apache tribe, have opposed it for over 20 years, citing religious and land rights.
3How did Rio Tinto gain control of the mine land?
Rio Tinto swapped 5,400 acres of land with the U.S. Forest Service for 2,400 acres containing the copper deposit after winning a long legal battle.
4What is the economic significance of the Resolution Copper mine?
It aims to strengthen U.S. copper supply chains, create local jobs, and reduce reliance on foreign copper sources.
5What is the next step for Rio Tinto at the Resolution site?
Rio Tinto plans a $500 million drilling campaign before determining when copper production can start.