America needs a stronger
copper supply chain.
America's copper gap is growing, and there are three ways to close it.
The gap today
The United States uses about 2,200 kt of refined copper a year and refines 850 kt of it at home.
USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026The gap grows
Demand is projected to roughly double by 2035. At today’s refining capacity, the gap grows with it.
S&P Global, Aug. 2023New mines take decades
A new U.S. copper mine takes about 29 years to go from discovery to production, second longest of any country, counting projects still in development. A mine that begins development today will not produce copper before 2040.
S&P Global Market Intelligence, 2024Smelting capacity is mostly gone
In 1976 the United States operated 16 primary copper smelters. Two operate today, with a third in care and maintenance.
CDA testimony, Apr. 2026Allied supply is the third way
Copper mined, smelted and refined with allied partners.
Expand and strengthen America's copper supply chain from end to end.
Exploration
Eight copper-dominant exploration projects across Montana, Alaska, Nevada and Arizona, including a joint venture with Freeport-McMoRan and an option to joint venture with Rio Tinto Kennecott.
View exploration projectsOperations
Falcon is evaluating mining, smelting and refining projects in the United States, including a smelter in Arizona and a refinery on the Gulf Coast. The smelter would be the first new-build primary copper smelter in the United States in four decades. Falcon is evaluating several more in allied countries.
View operations