Three Republican Arizona congressmen want the Pentagon to identify military lands across the state that could support copper mining, processing, refining and recycling without interfering with training or readiness.
Republican Reps. Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar and Eli Crane made the request in an Oct. 9 letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, KTAR News reported. The lawmakers pointed to roughly 3.12 million acres of defense land managed in Arizona and asked for a briefing within 90 days identifying potential sites, federal authorities, infrastructure needs, and permitting obstacles.
Arizona produces more than 70% of domestic copper output, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The lawmakers argued the metal is indispensable to military electrical systems, communications equipment, munitions, aircraft, naval vessels, and installations. Biggs said reliance on foreign supply chains has weakened the country’s ability to produce materials needed for national defense.
The proposal does not identify a mine or automatically open any military property. Many federal defense parcels are governed by land withdrawals or other restrictions, and the lawmakers specifically asked the department to identify any statutory changes Congress should consider before development could proceed.
The request follows President Donald Trump’s July executive order declaring it U.S. policy that critical materials used to build and sustain military equipment should come from domestic or allied sources. Biggs, Gosar and Crane said Arizona’s mineral deposits, workforce, and transportation infrastructure position it to close supply chain gaps.
The push comes amid broader disputes over Arizona mining. Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva and environmental groups have raised concerns about groundwater, tribal consultation, and accelerated federal review.
The Pentagon has not publicly identified potential sites or announced a response.
