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Aurubis Launches $800M Copper Recycling Plant in Georgia

9/26/2025

23 4 Full Breakdown

Center

Aurubis Starts Production

Aurubis AG has begun production at its $800 million Richmond, Georgia, recycling plant to cut U.S. copper imports and process 180,000 metric tons annually.
The facility will yield 70,000 tons of blister copper, plus nickel, tin, and precious metals.
Aurubis will sell copper mainly to U.S. customers to meet demand, per CEO Toralf Haag, who notes potential for U.S. projects.

Left

Canada Boosts Copper Projects

Canada fast-tracks two copper projects—Red Chris Mill and McIlvenna Bay—to boost output and Indigenous partnerships.
Red Chris Mill will use block-cave mining, extending life by a decade and increasing copper output by 15%.
McIlvenna Bay is set to start in 2026 with government funding to bolster critical mineral supply routes, while tariffs and competition from Chile and Peru pressure growth.

History

Historical Context

The National Environmental Policy Act, enacted in 1971, marked a pivotal shift in U.S. environmental policy, establishing a framework for protection. Aurubis AG's $800 million recycling plant in Richmond, Georgia, aims to process 180,000 metric tons of copper annually, reflecting a trend towards local production and reduced import reliance amid increasing competition from major copper producers like Chile and Peru.

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Aurubis Starts Production

Aurubis AG has begun production at its $800 million Richmond, Georgia, recycling plant to cut U.S. copper imports and process 180,000 metric tons annually.
The facility will yield 70,000 tons of blister copper, plus nickel, tin, and precious metals.
Aurubis will sell copper mainly to U.S. customers to meet demand, per CEO Toralf Haag, who notes potential for U.S. projects.

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