Taseko Mines’ Florence Copper project featuring Metso’s copper solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW) technology is ramping up its commercial operations in Arizona. The successful harvesting of the first copper cathodes at the end of February 2026 is an important milestone for Taseko Mines and Metso, marking the first new greenfield copper production in the United States since 2008. The project caters to the rapidly growing copper demand while supporting the transition towards more environmentally responsible copper production in North America.
Stuart McDonald, President & CEO of Taseko Mines commented: “This represents a landmark achievement for the Florence Copper team and a major milestone for Taseko, as we continue our journey to become a leading North American copper producer.”
Metso’s delivery to the Florence Copper project consists of a modular VSF®X solvent extraction plant and main process equipment for the electrowinning plant. Florence Copper has a nameplate capacity of 85 million pounds (40,000 tons) of LME Grade A copper cathode per year.
“We are excited to congratulate Taseko Mines and the Florence Copper team on this important milestone. It’s an honor to support their success with proven Metso Plus technology designed to maximize resource efficiency and reduce environmental footprint. This aligns perfectly with our mutual dedication to sustainability and operational excellence,” said Mikko Rantaharju, Vice President, Hydrometallurgy and Thermal Processing at Metso. “Moreover, this delivery is the first of its kind to the United States and holds tremendous value for Metso as we expand our offering and installed base in the region.”
“Metso’s nearby Mesa, Arizona service center and aftermarket team will work closely with the customer to ensure reliable, safe operation long after commissioning and maximize performance across the full equipment lifecycle,” said Martin Karlsson, Vice President, Sales & Services, USA.
Comprehensive hydrometallurgy solutions and services for metals refining
Metso is a global leader in hydrometallurgy solutions for metals refining. Its offering includes advanced technologies and services for leaching, solvent extraction, electrowinning, and precipitation, supporting efficient and sustainable metal recovery processes.
