Frequently asked questions

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 is working hard to better understand and protect the natural environment and cultural resources.

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.

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 is working hard to better understand and protect the natural environment and cultural resources.

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.

Copper Creek Road will remain open to the public as long as it is safe to do so.

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.

Protecting the supply chain starts with exploration work.

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.

We are exploring on previously disturbed land.

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.