NOGARES, Arizona (KVOA) – In southern Arizona, Australian mining company South32 has reached an important milestone as it smashed the ground at Nogares’ remote operation centre Centro. The centre is set up to support the Hermosa Mining Project. It promises to provide essential minerals and create hundreds of local jobs.
In southern Arizona, Australian mining company South32 has reached a significant milestone as it destroyed Nogales’ remote operations centre, Centro.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs attended the groundbreaking ceremony with local leaders and business officials. The Hermosa mine will focus on the production of major minerals such as zinc and manganese, which are important for electric vehicle batteries.
“It will create an opportunity for Arizona to fulfill Arizona’s promise,” Hobbs said.
The Centro facility will eventually house nearly 1,000 workers and remotely control many of Hermosa’s mining equipment as it will be built over the next few months. South32 is committed to hiring 80% of the project’s workforce from Santa Cruz County. Centro workers can start with a salary of over $90,000 a year.
The company said it is also working to limit the environmental impact.
“For us, our goal is to bring zero net greenhouse gas emissions to zero,” said Pat Risner, president of the Hermosa project. “Underground equipment is usually diesel. All battery-electric fleets are underground.”
Centro represents a commitment to creating economic opportunities and sharing values in Santa Cruz County, Risner said. The project was designed to align with South32’s long-term economic and employment goals and represents the culmination of a nearly three-year plan.
“Centro represents mining innovation, commitment to sustainability and investment in southern Arizona, which will provide Arizonan with high-quality, paid jobs for generations to come,” Hobbs said.
Positioned to become an important mineral district, the Hermosa Project is part of the federal government’s fast 41 permitting process. According to South32, the project could create jobs with a salary of up to 900 and support investment in surrounding communities.
Construction on Centro will close by 2027, and the mining project is expected to be fully operational in the same year. As part of the development process, South32 hosted Centro’s Community Naming Control, reflecting her pivotal role in Hermosa’s success.
Although the plan has critics, it has expressed concern about its fears about its environmental impacts and long-term impact on the region.
News 4 Tucson previously spoke with the Calabasas Alliance, a group focusing on such environmental issues.
Through a partnership between the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, we have reported that several air quality sensors have been deployed around Patagonia to monitor air quality.
The group said that while it remains on what the real impact will be, sensors provide more peace of mind.
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