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South32 Hermosa Critical Minerals Project

PERMITTING DASHBOARD PROJECT POSTING DATE: MAY 05, 2023

PROJECT WEBSITE: https://south32hermosa.com/en_US/

All dates below are specific to the schedule of the Environmental Review and Permitting processes for this project.

In Progress

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING STATUS
IN PROGRESS

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ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING
09/07/2026

2 out of 4

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESSES
COMPLETED

Mining

SECTOR
Mining

Project Category

CATEGORY
Project Category FAST-41 Covered Projects

Department of Agriculture

LEAD AGENCY
Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service

View FAST-41 Postings by Agencies

Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations:

Department of the Interior

Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service

Description:

The South32 Hermosa Critical Minerals Project (Hermosa Project) is a proposed zinc and manganese mining and processing operation in a historic mining district in Santa Cruz County, Arizona near the US-Mexico border. The Hermosa project sponsor proposes to construct a small-footprint, underground mining operation applying low-carbon design and best-in-class engineering principles. Part of the Hermosa Project area will involve subsurface and surface disturbance of lands within the Coronado National Forest.

Zinc and manganese are both designated critical minerals by the U.S. Geological Survey. The Hermosa Project contains one of the world’s largest undeveloped zinc resources. Manganese has been identified as a strategic and critical mineral, the production of which has been authorized under the Defense Production Act to increase domestic mining and processing necessary for the large-capacity battery supply chain. Executive Orders 14154 ‘Unleashing American Energy’ and 14156 ‘Declaring a National Energy Emergency’ both cite the development of critical minerals as essential for national security, defense, and the economy.

Permitting Timetable

The permitting timetable below displays data as reported by agencies. Dates for Environmental Review and Permitting processes (Actions) that are in 'Paused' or 'Planned' status are subject to change and are not indicative of a project's final schedule.

  • For information about extensions, select an Action from the timetable below and select 'View Action Details' at the bottom of the page.
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Overall Project Timetable
 
STATUS
Schedule
Extension or Delay
Ahead of Schedule
Paused
No End Date
Planned

Action Information

For additional information, please select an Action from the Permitting Timetable above.

  • Action:  
  • Responsible Agency:  
  • Bureau:  
  • Action Status:  
  • SHPO:  
  • Action Identifier:  
  • Action Outcome:  
Milestone Original Target Date Current Target Date Milestone Complete