Arizona

Moderate Risk

United States · State · Last assessed Apr 2026

Composite Score 21/25

Higher = lower risk. 22–25 LOW · 18–21 MODERATE · 13–17 ELEVATED · 8–12 HIGH · 5–7 EXTREME.

Permitting Timeline & Predictability

3/5

State permits efficient; federal land transfers and NEPA can be slow (Resolution).

Fiscal Regime Stability

5/5

Stable competitive corporate and severance rates.

Political & Security Risk

5/5

Stable; broadly pro-mining at state level.

Infrastructure & Power

5/5

Excellent — highways, rail, grid, established copper service centres.

Indigenous, Community & ESG

3/5

Apache and other Tribal opposition at specific sites (Oak Flat); broader social licence intact.

Assessment Summary

Arizona is a Tier-1 copper jurisdiction with deep technical workforce, established infrastructure, and a fiscally stable state government. The southern Arizona porphyry belt is among the most endowed in the world.

Resolution Copper, after 25+ years and pending land-transfer litigation, illustrates that even in Arizona federal lands and Apache Tribal opposition can stall world-class deposits indefinitely. Brownfield expansions and projects on private land proceed with normal North American timelines.

Other United States Jurisdictions

Alaska Elevated Risk
Idaho Moderate Risk
Nevada Low Risk
Utah Low Risk

Jurisdiction risk is one input — geology, capital structure, and management still matter. See the Verdict Framework for full company scorecards.