Inside a renewed Utah copper mine, built for the AI age
Mariana Minerals has resumed copper mining in Utah using autonomous drills and robotic haul trucks, reducing costs by 30-50%. The company aims to produce 50,000 tons of refined copper annually by 2030.
Mariana Minerals has restarted a copper mine in southeastern Utah, 40 miles southeast of Moab, after it lay dormant since 2024. The company, led by Tesla veteran Turner Caldwell, has transformed the mine into the world's first autonomous operation. Autonomous drills and robotic haul trucks have reduced refining costs by 30% and mining costs by 50%. The mine is expected to produce 50,000 tons of refined copper annually by 2030. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox attended the site visit, praising the project as a significant step in making Utah a hub for hard-tech producers. The company has raised $100 million from venture capitalists.
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