Gunnison Copper Corp (TSX:GCU, OTCQB:GCUMF) has announced preliminary results from an independent Economic Impact Study conducted by the Eller Partnerships Office at the University of Arizona, projecting multi-billion-dollar economic benefits associated with the company’s Gunnison Copper Project in southern Arizona.
According to Gunnison, the study used nationally accepted economic modeling tools to assess cumulative potential impacts at the national, state, and county levels.
The study estimates the project could generate a total present value output of $14.6 billion across the US economy over its life, supporting more than 53,000 job-years and creating approximately $2.07 billion in labor income.
At the state level, Arizona could see $10 billion in output, nearly 35,000 job-years, and $1.28 billion in labor income.
Cochise County and the surrounding District 6 are projected to account for $9 billion in output, over 15,000 job-years, and $633 million in labor income.
On an annual basis, the project is expected to contribute $1.43 billion in national output, 2,676 jobs, and $209 million in labor income.
Arizona is projected to receive $978 million in output, 1,739 jobs, and $129 million in labor income annually, while District 6 could see $880 million in output, 765 jobs, and $64 million in labor income each year.
"The University of Arizona's findings support what we have long emphasized — the Gunnison Copper Project has the potential to not only be a nationally significant source of Made-in-America copper, but also a generational economic driver for Arizona and Cochise County," Gunnison Copper’s chief financial officer Craig Hallworth said.
"The projected multi-billion-dollar impact and thousands of jobs over the life-of-mine demonstrate the scale of the opportunity, reinforcing Gunnison's importance to US energy, defense, and manufacturing supply chains."
Anastasiya Ghosh, associate dean, partnerships, Eller College of Management, added: "Eller Partnerships Office was happy to collaborate with Gunnison Copper on this project, building on the strength of the Eller College in economic impact analysis and the University's strategic focus on sustainable mining.”
The report notes that these figures represent forecasted economic impacts and not a formal economic analysis of the project itself. Actual outcomes will depend on the Gunnison Project’s development, which remains subject to feasibility studies, financing, and permitting.
The report is being finalized and will be published at a later date.