South32 delays Taylor project and raises cost estimate to $3.3 billion

11 articles · Updated · MarketWatch · Apr 29

The Hermosa project's Taylor deposit near Tucson will now begin production in fiscal 2028, a year later than planned, with full capacity expected in fiscal 2031.
Cost increases are attributed to contractor underperformance, inflation, U.S. tariffs, and higher prices for materials. Sustaining capital expenditure rises to $50 million annually, while operating unit costs increase to $100 per ton.
South32 also reported a 52% increase in Taylor's ore reserve and a 32% rise in Peake's mineral resource, extending Taylor's initial operating life to 33 years as part of its low-carbon strategy.

With costs soaring 53%, can South32's Arizona zinc mine still deliver its promised returns?

Will South32's new mine drain the scarce water resources of southern Arizona's local communities?

Why do modern mining projects consistently run billions over budget and years behind schedule?

Is securing critical minerals for green energy worth sacrificing a region's water and wildlife?

Can a mega-mine operate in a biodiversity hotspot without devastating endangered species like the jaguar?