Florence must triple output in second half to meet Trekor's full-year target

Trekor Metals has stated that production at its Florence copper mine in Arizona must accelerate threefold in the second half of the year to achieve its full-year target of at least 30 million pounds.

The world's first commercial in-situ copper recovery (ISCR) operation, located approximately 100 km southeast of Phoenix, produced 6.7 million pounds in the six months ended June 30. This included 5.2 million pounds in the second quarter, marking the operation's first full three-month production period.

To reach the 2026 target of 30 million to 35 million pounds, Florence must deliver an additional 23.3 million to 28.3 million pounds over the remaining six months. CEO Stuart McDonald said the company plans to bring approximately 26 new wells online this month.

Florence represents Trekor's primary growth engine-the company was formerly known as Taseko Mines-and its only near-term pathway to organic production growth. Achieving the 85-million-pound annual design capacity would reduce the company's dependence on its Gibraltar mine in British Columbia and serve as a critical test of whether commercial-scale in-situ recovery can deliver the low operating costs Trekor has projected.

Trekor began cathode production in February with approximately 90 wells, expanding to 110 operating wells by the end of June. Five rigs are currently drilling the next groups of wells, with further additions planned on a monthly basis for the remainder of the year.