Milford Mining Co. to expand copper production operations in Beaver Co.

Milford Mining Co. LLC is planning an expansion in Beaver County and last week the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) awarded the company a post-performance tax reduction to help make the growth possible. The corporate incentive is part of the state’s Rural Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (REDTIF) program.

As part of the agreement, Milford Mining projects to add 160 new, high-paying jobs and invest $20 million in rural Utah during the next five years.

“Utah’s rich mineral resources are a significant draw for companies seeking a supportive environment that values responsible and sustainable mining practices,” said Ryan Starks, executive director of GOEO. “Utah offers a skilled workforce, excellent infrastructure and proximity to key markets, making it a prime destination for mining ventures. We’re pleased to welcome Milford Mining’s expanding operations to the state.”

Milford Mining, recognized as an innovative operator in the mining industry, is dedicated to sustainable resource extraction and responsible environmental practices, the company said.

With a history spanning several decades, it prioritizes the well-being of the communities in which it operates, consistently delivering minerals to meet global demands. Its operations in Milford specialize in copper ore mining. Expansion plans involve a flotation mill and a solvent extraction-electrowinning process, allowing the production of copper concentrate, which includes gold and silver, as well as pure copper cathode.

“Western Beaver County has historically been a location containing high-grade minerals,” said Darin Malchus, vice president of Milford Mining. “Never before has copper been so important to the nation’s energy systems as it is currently. Utah’s cooperation with the mining community, combined with access to local talent, were significant factors in Milford Mining’s decision to commence operations in the state. We would like to thank the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity for support of this project.”

“The revitalization of the mining industry in Beaver County heralds us back to our beginnings as a county and to our first economic boom in the mid-1800s,” said Jen Wakeland, strategic development director for Beaver County. “A far cry from those early days of mining, Milford Mining will bring invigorated processes, updated technologies and will hire some of the best workforce to manage the resources produced by the mine. As the mining tradition in our county moves forward, we are thrilled to endorse and encourage Milford Mining.”

“We join GOEO in welcoming Milford Mining to Utah,” said Scott Cuthbertson, president and CEO of the conomic Development Corporation of Utah. “We’re pleased to see the company’s commitment to innovation and community well-being, both of which align with the values of rural Utah.”

The estimated wages to be paid over the five years of the GOEO agreement total almost $40 million, with new state tax revenues of over $1.5 million.