Taseko wraps Florence build, nears first copper

Canada’s Taseko Mines (TSX: TKO; NYSE: TGB) has completed construction at its Florence copper project in Arizona and is targeting first copper production within weeks.

Wellfield acidification began in early November, with mining solutions circulating through all new production wells by early December, the company told the Northern Miner Group. Injection flow rates have met or exceeded expectations, accelerating early-stage acidification, while copper grades in solution have continued to rise and now meet the threshold required for solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW) operations.

Commissioning of the SX/EW plant has advanced without major issues and start-up is expected shortly, President and CEO Stuart McDonald said. The transition from construction to operations has been smooth and the company is encouraged by early copper recoveries.

“2025 was a great year for Taseko,” McDonald told MINING.COM. “Major milestones achieved at Florence Copper in Arizona contributed significantly to Taseko’s share price appreciation over the past 12 months. First copper cathode production from Florence Copper is expected in early 2026, with ramp-up to full production over the following year.”

More drilling

Drilling at Florence has also resumed, with three rigs operating on site to expand the commercial wellfield, a step expected to support higher solution flows and increased copper production during this year’s ramp-up. 

In British Columbia, Taseko’s Gibraltar mine produced 98 million lb. of copper and 1.9 million lb. of molybdenum last year. Fourth-quarter output was impacted by unanticipated mill downtime linked to unscheduled maintenance and a serious accident that triggered a temporary site-wide shutdown in November.

Fourth-quarter copper production totalled 31 million lb., a sharp increase from earlier quarters, as head grades improved to 0.26% and recoveries averaged 81%. Molybdenum output reached 0.8 million lb., about 50% higher than the third quarter and the strongest quarterly result in eight years. Gibraltar’s SX/EW plant produced 900,000 lb. of copper cathode in the quarter. 

Higher grades

Full-year sales came in at 99 million lb. of copper and 1.9 million lb. of molybdenum. In October, the company had forecast copper production of 120-130 million lb. for 2025.

McDonald said production in the second half of the year improved on higher grades and better-quality ore, adding that more consistent quarterly output is expected in 2026 as mining advances further into the Connector pit.

Beyond Gibraltar, Taseko also holds the Yellowhead copper project in B.C., now in the environmental permitting stage, and a 78% interest in the New Prosperity property near Williams Lake.