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Falcon Domestic Smelting and RefiningRebuilding America's copper processing capacity.

America can mine copper but can't refine enough of it. The U.S. ships concentrate abroad and buys finished copper back, dependent on processing capacity China dominates and prices. For the first time in decades, Section 232 protects domestic processing economics: 50% on semi-finished copper since August 2025, and 10% on articles made from copper smelted and cast in the United States. Refined copper carries no rate. The July 2025 proclamation set a decision point rather than a schedule, directing Commerce to report by 30 June 2026 so the President may determine whether to impose 15% from January 2027 and 30% from January 2028. That report has not been published. Building refining capacity in the United States is what turns that policy into finished copper.

Projects
Smelting and refining on U.S. soil
Tier
Midstream
Arizona Smelter
Primary Smelter
Arizona · In Development
Gulf Coast Refinery
Electrolytic Refinery
Gulf Coast · In Development

America mines the copper.
China smelts it.

China holds more than half of global smelting and refining capacity. The United States ships concentrate abroad and buys finished copper back. Falcon Domestic Smelting and Refining exists to close that gap.
~⅓
of U.S. mine output ships
abroad as raw concentrate
Mined here, processed there
About 340,000 t of U.S. mine output leaves the country each year as concentrate; most likely reaches China for smelting. (USGS MCS 2026 · Rio Tinto, BIS-2025-0010)
57%
U.S. reliance on
imported refined copper
Bought back on their terms
China holds more than half of global copper smelting and refining capacity and sets the price. America buys most of what it uses on those terms. (USGS MCS 2026 · ICSG 2025)
~1,350 kt
U.S. refining capacity
not yet built
The capacity gap
The U.S. consumes about 2,200 kt of refined copper a year but produces only ~850 kt at home. Closing the gap means building that capacity here. (USGS MCS 2026)

Two projects, one platform
for domestic processing.

In Development
Arizona Smelter
Primary copper smelter

A greenfield primary copper smelter in Arizona, the first in four decades, built around modern, commercially proven smelting technology. Arizona accounted for approximately 70% of U.S. copper mine production in 2025. (USGS MCS 2026)

In Development
Gulf Coast Refinery
Electrolytic copper refinery

An electrolytic refinery on the Gulf Coast that turns copper anode into finished copper (cathode), sited for port access and proximity to downstream industry.

Both projects are in development. Capacities, partners, technology, and timing are disclosed as each project is confirmed.

01
Western U.S. Mine Districts
Ore extracted from copper deposits across AZ, NV, MT, AK
02
Crushing, Milling & Flotation
Run-of-mine ore processed to ~28% copper concentrate at the mine site
Falcon Domestic Smelting and Refining
03
Primary Smelter & Refinery
Primary smelting converts concentrate to copper anode
04
Copper Anode & Finished Copper
Anode casting followed by electrorefining to finished copper
05
U.S. Industry & Allied Nations
Defense systems, grid infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing

Operators who have
run this before.

Falcon Domestic Smelting and Refining is led by Rick Gittleman, Eric Best and Mike Ciricillo, with direct credits from Freeport's Tenke Fungurume and Miami Smelter, Glencore's Mutanda and KCC, Mopani, Nevada Copper, and Barrick's Cortez District.

RG
Rick Gittleman
President

Fmr. Senior VP Freeport Africa; senior management team Tenke Fungurume; senior management copper group, Glencore. J.D., American University.

EB
Eric Best
Executive Vice President

Fmr. CEO Glencore Mutanda Mining; Fmr. GM Cortez District, Barrick; Fmr. COO Mineral Park; senior roles at Freeport Tenke Fungurume.

MC
Mike Ciricillo
Executive Vice President

Fmr. GM Freeport Miami Smelter & smelter manager Chino; Fmr. Glencore Head of Global Copper Production; Fmr. President Freeport Africa (Tenke Fungurume); Fmr. CEO Nevada Copper.

The Falcon Platform
Explore the other two platforms.
Mining →Allied Supply →