My View: Domestic copper mining essential for national security, Arizona’s tech economy

Arizona has long been known as the Copper State. Today, however, copper represents far more than mining heritage. It is central to America’s economic future, technological leadership and national security. As demand for advanced technologies continues to accelerate, expanding responsible domestic copper production efforts — particularly projects like Copper World — is critical to ensuring the United States remains competitive in the 21st century.

From electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies to artificial intelligence infrastructure and advanced semiconductor manufacturing, copper is the backbone of modern technology. Nearly every emerging technology that will shape the next generation of innovation depends on copper’s unmatched conductivity and durability. The Copper World project proposed southeast of Tucson is designed to supply copper essential for these technologies while strengthening the domestic supply chain.

This is not an abstract issue for Arizona’s technology sector. The state is rapidly becoming one of the country’s most important hubs for advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, data centers and clean energy. None of these industries can scale without reliable access to critical minerals — especially copper.

At the same time, the United States faces a growing strategic challenge. Much of the global supply of critical minerals is produced overseas, often in regions with lower environmental standards and less transparent labor practices. Responsible domestic mining reduces our nation’s dependence on foreign sources while ensuring materials are produced under rigorous environmental and labor standards.

Copper World repreents a major step toward closing that gap. Developed by Canada’s Hudbay Minerals in 2021, the project is expected to produce roughly 85,000 metric tons of copper annually during its initial 20-year mine life, strengthening our nation’s domestic supply of this critical material.

The project’s benefits extend well beyond supply chains and offer a significant economic opportunity for Arizona workers and communities. Copper World is estimated to create more than 400 direct jobs and as many as 3,000 indirect jobs across the state. Hudbay will offer competitive wages and opportunities in skilled trades, engineering and technical professions, These are precisely the types of high-quality jobs that sustain families and support long-term economic growth in southern Arizona.

Copper a key material for energy systems, infrastructure

The national security implications are important, too. Copper is now widely recognized as a critical material for energy systems and modern infrastructure. As the United States works to strengthen its energy independence and build resilient supply chains, securing reliable domestic sources of copper is essential.

Projects like Copper World also align with America’s broader push to build the technology infrastructure of the future. Grid modernization to battery storage, electric vehicles and next-generation communications networks require massive quantities of copper. Simply put, we cannot build the technologies of today and tomorrow without the materials that help power them.

Arizona is uniquely positioned to lead this effort. Our state combines a long tradition of mining with a rapidly growing technology ecosystem. When these two sectors work together, the result is a powerful engine for innovation, job creation and economic growth.

The Arizona Technology Council believes responsible domestic mining and advanced technology development go hand in hand. Supporting projects like Copper World ensures the materials used in powering needed technologies are produced right here in America, by American workers, under American standards.

As worldwide demand for copper continues to grow, Arizona has an opportunity to lead once again. By investing in responsible mining, we can strengthen national security, reduce energy dependence, create quality jobs and build the technological infrastructure that will define the next generation of American innovation.

Steve Zylstra is president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council and SciTech Institute.