Patagonia Mine Operations Set to Expand
Patagonia, Arizona – A significant private investment is gearing up for full operation in southern Arizona. The Hermosa Mine, located in the Patagonia Mountains and owned by the Australian firm South32, is preparing to add more workers as it aims to be fully operational by 2027.
The mine focuses on two key minerals—zinc and manganese—that play an important role in U.S. battery production. Notably, most of these materials are currently sourced from China.
Pat Listener, the president of Hermosa Mine, noted that the federal government is closely monitoring production, recognizing the strategic importance of these minerals, which has caught the attention of the Department of Defense. “We rely on foreign countries for our supplies, which creates risks for national security. This is the only mine that produces both key minerals,” he explained.
Before full-scale production can commence, extensive testing and construction need to be completed, in addition to battery tests conducted off-site to ensure the materials meet necessary standards.
So far, the project has generated over 1,000 construction jobs. South32 is building a dedicated facility in Nogales, aimed at training workers who may have limited experience with mining machinery.
South32 also emphasizes that more than 900 residents from Santa Cruz County are currently employed, and they’re aiming for over 80% of their long-term workforce to be local. Listener mentioned that the project is responsible for creating 2,381 direct and indirect jobs in Santa Cruz County alone, and 3,465 across Arizona.
The financial impact is notable, with labor income in the county totaling $194 million and state income at $290 million. South32 projects an economic output of $1.16 billion in the county and $1.49 billion statewide, alongside estimated local tax revenues of $26 million for the county and $29 million for the state.
On a recent tour, Listener showed News 4 Tucson’s Chief Inspection Reporter, Chorus Neillander, around the mines, revealing a large shaft plunging 3,000 feet deep, with automated systems allowing access to even greater depths.
According to Listener, the Hermosa Mine’s footprint is relatively compact compared to traditional open-pit mines, roughly equating to the size of 750 acres—much smaller than average Arizona open-pit mines, which span over 10,000 acres.
The company aims to adopt environmentally friendly practices, claiming they will use 90% less water than many similar operations while also seeking ways to safeguard groundwater levels. This aspect raises concerns among some local residents, including Robin Lucky, who heads the Calabasas Alliance, an environmental advocacy group.
“If there’s no groundwater, that sounds catastrophic to me,” said Lucky, who recently toured the site. Although she appreciated some of the precautions taken, she still questioned the potential impacts on water levels in the long term.
A recent study from the Arizona Department of Water Quality indicated the area has around 25 years of groundwater left. Lucky is anxious that the mine might deplete crucial water resources.
Air quality is another issue on her radar, as concerns linger about potential toxins being released. In collaboration with the Calabasas Alliance, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University are placing air quality sensors throughout the region to monitor the situation.
Two types of monitors are being used, one of which allows residents to access their own air quality reports. “Baseline monitoring before extraction begins is extremely important, and we appreciate the support from the two major universities,” she added.
After 35 years in the mining industry, Risner expressed the uniqueness of this environmentally mindful approach. “There’s really nothing else quite like this,” he said.
