The U.S. Forest Service issued the Final Record of Decision July 7, 2026, approving infrastructure development for the Hermosa Critical Minerals Project in the Coronado National Forest, Santa Cruz County, Arizona. Officials said the decision completes the federal NEPA process for the underground mine targeting manganese and zinc, critical minerals identified by the U.S. Geological Survey, with implementation expected to begin in September 2026.
The Final Record of Decision (ROD), issued by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) on July 7, 2026, completes the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for infrastructure development associated with the Hermosa Critical Minerals Project on Coronado National Forest land, officials said. The decision authorizes ancillary infrastructure including a primary access road, a secondary dry-stack tailings facility, and a segment of a 138-kilovolt power line operated by UniSource Energy Services (UNSE), according to USFS project records.
The Hermosa project, located in the Patagonia Mountains within the Sierra Vista Ranger District of Santa Cruz County, Arizona, targets underground extraction of manganese and zinc, minerals identified by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as critical to national supply chains.
USFS documents describe the mine as a polymetallic development with significant deposits of zinc, lead, silver sulfide, and battery-grade manganese, with additional potential for copper mineralization, according to agency sources and South32, the project developer.
The NEPA review process for Hermosa began on May 10, 2024, with the publication of the Notice of Intent in the Federal Register, and followed a timeline that included a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in 2025 and a Final EIS and Draft ROD in early 2026. The Draft ROD initiated a 45-day objection period, followed by a 45-day resolution period, allowing eligible parties to raise concerns before the final decision, South32 confirmed. The Final ROD marks the conclusion of this multi-year environmental review, which included extensive public input, interagency consultation, and Tribal engagement, USFS officials said.
The Hermosa project is also notable for being the first mining project to receive coverage under the federal FAST-41 Permitting Dashboard, a program designed to streamline and increase transparency in federal permitting for major infrastructure projects. According to the Permitting Council, Hermosa’s environmental review and permitting processes are tracked under FAST-41, with an estimated completion date of September 7, 2026. The USFS project status lists the NEPA process as “Completed,” with implementation expected to begin that same month.
Federal agencies have emphasized the project’s role in strengthening national security and supply chain resilience by boosting domestic production of critical minerals essential for steel manufacturing and large-capacity batteries. A USFS social media statement linked Hermosa to broader federal goals of mineral independence and energy resilience, reflecting its alignment with U.S. critical minerals strategies, according to agency communications.
South32, which holds the mineral rights and is responsible for project development, describes Hermosa as continuing the historic mining legacy of the Patagonia Mountains, an area with longstanding mineral production. The company highlights the polymetallic nature of the deposit and its potential to contribute to the domestic supply of critical minerals. South32 also noted that the project’s environmental review involved years of study and consultation, and it maintains open channels for community engagement through a dedicated email address, [email protected].
The authorized infrastructure on National Forest land is critical to supporting the underground mining operation. The primary access road will facilitate transport to and from the site, while the dry-stack tailings facility is designed to manage mining waste with reduced environmental impact. The approved 138 kV power line segment supplied by UNSE will provide the necessary electrical power to support mining activities.
The USFS Coronado National Forest and Sierra Vista Ranger District oversee permitting and management of the project area. Deborah Bradley, a USFS contact for Hermosa, is listed with a mailing address at 300 W. Congress St., Tucson, Arizona 85701, and can be reached by phone at 520-388-8345 or via email at [email protected]. South32’s media contact for the project is Lina Betancourt, reachable at +1 514-210-1822 or [email protected].
With the Final ROD issued and federal environmental review concluded, the project is positioned to move forward with implementation. The Permitting Dashboard and USFS schedules indicate that full federal authorization for mine development could be finalized as early as September 2026. This follows South32’s submission and approval of the Mine Plan of Operations by December 2023 and the completion of the EIS process over 2024 and 2025.
The Hermosa Critical Minerals Project is part of a broader federal and corporate effort to secure domestic sources of critical minerals necessary for infrastructure and energy transition technologies. The project’s location within the Coronado National Forest and its alignment with national policy objectives underscore the intersection of resource development and environmental stewardship in the region.
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