Updates from our Hermosa project

Following the final investment decision to develop Hermosa’s Taylor deposit in February of this year, the project has continued to make progress throughout the year. 

Construction update 

Following the $2.16 billion investment decision earlier this year, construction work continues on the infrastructure important to providing underground access to Hermosa’s zinc-lead-silver Taylor deposit, one of the world’s largest undeveloped resources of this federally designated critical mineral. 

Hermosa’s underground mine design enables a project surface footprint of just 750 acres – a fraction of the footprint of other mining projects. 

Construction of both the ventilation shaft headframe and main shaft headframe have been completed, with hoisting ropes now being installed. This is a key activity to sinking the main shaft to planned depth as hoists are used to excavate the raw material and sinking winches are used to move the work deck. 

The Hermosa team also recently completed the Cross Creek Connector bridge following a 10-day construction period. 

The Connector is an access bridge and road that will allow the project to increase site transport while reducing traffic through Patagonia. The route will be used at reduced capacity until full use commences in early 2025. 

“We understand how materials traveling to and from the Hermosa project site is a concern for the community, so we prioritised safely completing the Cross Creek Connector to allow Hermosa personnel and trucks to bypass the Town of Patagonia, providing greater safety and security for the community and our team,” said Andy Thompson, Hermosa Vice President of Project Delivery. 

Other recent milestones include: 

• The ventilation shaft has begun sinking activities; 
• The installation of mechanical and electrical equipment at both shafts has been completed; 
• Decline construction for the Clark battery-grade manganese deposit has commenced and is approaching the 75-metre mark; 
• The engineering and fieldwork for the zinc-lead-silver processing facility is progressing as scheduled. 

Designs released for Centro, Hermosa’s remote operating centre in Nogales 

As a next-gen mine with a focus on safe and efficient operations, Hermosa will utilise extensive automation technology and, in part, be run remotely from an integrated remote operating center in the nearby town of Nogales, which earlier this year was named Centro following a community survey. 

Along with architectural partner RAH Architects, Hermosa recently released the conceptual design for Centro.  

The prospective design renderings weave elements of the Southern Arizona landscape and the rich design history of the local community, taking inspiration from the Nogales Public Library and other landmarks. The product is an initial design that nests into the horizon lines of the site and topography of the surrounding area. 

“We are designing the Hermosa project with state-of-the-art technology to make it more accessible to individuals without mining experience, including extensive use of automation technology, with part of our operations running remotely at Centro in Nogales,” said Pat Risner, President of South32 Hermosa.  

“It’s our goal to make sure our partnership with Santa Cruz County permeates every aspect of how we design and build the facility so that the community is reflected in our work.” 

Designed to be a commercial building with an office-like setting, Centro will accommodate our employees and the automation technology needed to remotely monitor and operate some of the underground and surface equipment located at the mine site. 

Centro will host around 200 full-time employees for mine operations over several shifts in a 24-hour period as well as functional support staff. The facility will be part of a 10-acre complex that will also include a warehouse, an employee parking lot, a park-and-ride service area to take employees and contractors to our other sites, and a garden. Construction is expected to begin next year. 

Developing a Homegrown Workforce 

South32 Hermosa’s Workforce Development Taskforce members have formed an educational program design and facilitation committee with an immediate focus of bringing Pima Community College’s Electrician Certificate program to Santa Cruz Center Provisional College District. 

The committee will utilise taskforce members’ collective expertise, while leveraging the partnership between the two colleges.  

Electricians are among the first jobs needed to build Hermosa but have some of the longest required educational programs. The need for employees with electrical skills is definitive and will not change based on equipment selection, infrastructure set-up, and other operational decisions. 

“South32 is committed to developing a homegrown workforce needed to operate Hermosa and support our broader community by prioritising local hiring,” said Skylie Estep, South32 Human Resources Director, North America. 

“We look forward to replicating these workforce training opportunities, which will help us meet our target of hiring 80 percent of the South32 Hermosa full-time operational employees from Santa Cruz County. 

“These careers will provide labour income equal to two times the average household income in the county, while creating broader economic and educational benefits in the community.” 

The taskforce will use the electrical program as a blueprint for future programs intended to equip Santa Cruz County residents with the technical skills needed for other skilled trade and operational careers. 

Program enrolment will begin in September 2025. The program is open to more students than needed for Hermosa in the immediate term to create opportunities for further education and employment in other industries or sectors in the community.