Trump Meets BHP, Rio Tinto CEOs Amid Arizona Copper Mine Legal Delays

President Donald Trump has actively supported the Resolution Copper project in Arizona, a joint venture between mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP, which could supply up to 25% of the U.S.'s copper demand for decades. Despite the project's potential to boost domestic copper production—a key element for electric vehicles and energy infrastructure—it has faced persistent legal and environmental challenges, including a recent court injunction blocking a crucial land transfer. Trump criticized the court's decision as the work of a "radical left" and anti-American forces, emphasizing the project's importance for U.S. jobs and the economy, and vowed to appeal the ruling. The CEOs of Rio Tinto and BHP met with Trump to discuss the project's progress and its alignment with his administration's priority to revive U.S. metals production. However, the project faces technical and regulatory hurdles, including opposition from Native American groups concerned about religious and environmental impacts. Rio Tinto and BHP remain confident the legal challenges will be resolved, underscoring the strategic significance of expanding American copper supply amid global demand.