Toronto- and New York-listed Hudbay Minerals has reached an agreement with a coalition of union building trades to support the construction of its Copper World mine in Arizona.

The agreement, formalised through a letter of commitment, gives union contractors a substantial role in the building of the Copper World project. 

The letter was signed by seven union organisations, including the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 627, IBEW Local 570, and the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, among others.

Copper World, located near Tucson, is expected to play a central role in boosting domestic copper supply and reducing the US's reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals, especially as demand grows from clean energy and manufacturing sectors.

“The expertise and dedication of our local trade unions are vital to the success of large-scale projects like Copper World, and we are pleased to have their highly skilled workforce as a key component of our construction team,” said Javier Del Rio, senior VP of Hudbay’s US business unit. 

“Our commitment to a Project Labor Agreement strengthens our partnership with the unions, guaranteeing high-quality, well-paying jobs that uphold robust safety standards, provide essential benefits to workers, and support local families. By collaborating with skilled union labor, Copper World will be built to the highest safety and craftsmanship standards.”

Construction of the mine is anticipated to generate over 400 direct jobs and as many as 3 000 indirect jobs. Over its expected 20-year life, the mine is projected to contribute more than $850-million in US taxes, including $420-million to state and local governments.

“This letter of commitment signifies mutual respect and understanding for a productive work environment for the workforce that will build Copper World,” said Jacob Evenson, business manager of Boilermakers Local 627. “The timely and efficient construction of the Copper World project will require a substantial number of employees from construction and supporting crafts, and the unions look forward to working together to furnish a highly skilled workforce of our members to this critical project.”

Hudbay plans to construct a concentrate leach processing facility during the fourth year of operations. This will allow the mine to produce copper cathode on-site, eliminating the need for overseas shipping and refining and lowering its carbon footprint. Hudbay markets this initiative under the banner "Arizona Copper Made For America".

The Copper World project also aligns with broader US priorities to bolster domestic supply chains, enhance national security, and support the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy.