Here are the ten largest surface mining projects by production in North America in 2021, according to GlobalData’s mining database.
1. Morenci Mine
The Morenci Mine is a copper mining project in Arizona, United States. The brownfield project is owned by Freeport-McMoRan and is due to operate until 2044. The mine produced an estimated 169.5Mt of ROM in 2021. It had an estimated production of 397.5 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021.
2. North Antelope Rochelle Mine
The North Antelope Rochelle Mine is a coal mine owned by Peabody Energy. Located in Wyoming, United States, the greenfield mine produced approximately 76.5Mt of ROM in 2021. It had an estimated production of 57 million tonnes of coal in 2021. The expected mine closure date is 2047.
3. Black Thunder Mine
Located in Wyoming, United States, the Black Thunder Mine is a coal mining project owned by Arch Resources.
The greenfield mine produced an estimated 67.3Mt of ROM in 2021. It had an estimated production of 51.1 million tonnes of coal in the same year.
4. Mont Wright Mine
The Mont Wright Mine is an iron ore mine located in Quebec, Canada. Owned by ArcelorMittal, the greenfield project produced an estimated 65.6Mt of ROM in 2021.
The mine had an estimated production of 22 million tonnes of iron ore in 2021. The Mont Wright Mine will operate until 2052.
5. Highland Valley Copper Mine
Owned by Teck Resources, the Highland Valley Copper Mine is a copper mine situated in British Columbia, Canada. The mine is expected to operate until 2040.
The ROM production at the mine produced was approximately 59.2Mt of ROM in 2021. It had an estimated production of 130.5 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021.
6. Kennecott Copper Project
The Kennecott Copper Project is a copper mining project in Utah, United States. The brownfield project is owned by Rio Tinto and is due to operate until 2032. The mine produced an estimated 39.9Mt of ROM in 2021. It had an estimated production of 159.4 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021.
7. Safford Mine
The Safford Mine is a copper mine owned by Freeport-McMoRan. Located in Arizona, United States, the greenfield mine produced approximately 39.9Mt of ROM in 2021. It had an estimated production of 120.2 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021. The expected mine closure date is 2053.
8. Fort Knox Mine
Located in Alaska, United States, the Fort Knox Mine is a gold mining project owned by Kinross Gold. The mine is expected to operate until 2030.
The brownfield mine produced an estimated 34.4Mt of ROM in 2021. It had an estimated production of 253.9 thousand ounces of gold in the same year.
9. Sierrita Mine
The Sierrita Mine is a copper mine located in Arizona, United States. Owned by Freeport-McMoRan, the brownfield project produced an estimated 34.1Mt of ROM in 2021.
The mine had an estimated production of 85.7 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021. The Sierrita Mine will operate until 2080.
10. Bagdad Mine
Owned by Freeport-McMoRan, the Bagdad Mine is a copper mine situated in Arizona, United States. The mine is expected to operate until 2101.
The ROM production at the mine produced was approximately 33.3Mt of ROM in 2021. It had an estimated production of 83.5 thousand tonnes of copper in 2021.
Methodology:
This information is drawn from GlobalData’s mines and projects database, which tracks all operating and developing mines and projects globally. Verdict’s parent company GlobalData provides business information to 4,000 of the world’s largest companies.
