Hudbay

The Flin Flon greenstone belt was discovered by David Collins, a local trapper, and shown to prospector Tom Creighton in 1915.{{cite book | last=Mochoruk |first=Jim |title=Formidable Heritage: Manitobas North and the Cost of Development, 1870 To 1930 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=txjdnyZZ_s4C&q=Tom+Creighton+David+Collins+1914 | location=Canada | publisher=University of Manitoba Press | isbn=0-88755-676-0 | date=January 1, 2004}} It was named after Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin, a character in The Sunless City. The first claim was registered in 1915.{{Cite web | url=https://hudbayminerals.com/about-us/history/default.aspx | title=History | publisher=Hudbay}}

In 1925, after unsuccessful attempts to develop the mine, Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney (a member of the Whitney family of New York), along with Newmont Mining and Mining Corp of Canada, founded Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting (HBM&S), which acquired the Flin Flon property. The huge, high grade ore body required large amounts of hydro energy, was isolated, and copper production required a smelter, leading to delays in production. In June 1930, the mine, smelter, hydroelectric dam and railroad finally went into operation. In 1938, the company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The company supplied the United States with metals during World War II. In 1958, Hudbay opened its first mine in Snow Lake, 215 kilometres east of Flin Flon. Six years later, production began at Stall Lake Mine. In the 1960s, Anglo American plc, a South African mining company, invested in the company.

In the area near Flin Flon, the company started production at Anderson Lake in 1970 and discovered the Trout Lake deposit in 1974, which began production in 1982. It opened a concentrator at Snow Lake in 1979. In 1987, it discovered the Chisel North mine, which began production in 2001. In 1992, Hudbay closed its original Flin Flon mine; however, that same year, as a result of underground exploration, Hudbay discovered a substantial orebody that became its flagship 777 mine in Flin Flon; it went into development in 1999.

On December 21, 2004, OntZinc Corporation (formerly known as Pan American Resources) acquired HBM&S from Anglo American plc for C$316 million in cash and stock. The company was then renamed HudBay Minerals and was listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

In 2007, Hudbay located a significant zinc deposit near Snow Lake that became known as Lalor. The deposit also contained a large volume of gold, enough to support its own mine. Production began in 2012 and the mine officially opened in September 2014.{{cite news | url=https://www.thereminder.ca/local-news/lalor-ten-years-later-looking-back-a-decade-after-discovery-4110013 | title=Lalor, ten years later: looking back a decade after discovery | last=Naylor | first=Jonathan | work=The Reminder | date=August 2, 2017}}

In August 2008, Hudbay acquired Skye Resources, owner of the Fenix Nickel Project, for US$460 million.{{Cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/business/hudbay-minerals-to-buy-skye-for-nickel-asset-idUSN23463647/ | title=HudBay Minerals to buy Skye for nickel asset | first1=Cameron | last1=French | first2=John | last2=McCrank | editor-first=Bernadette | editor-last=Baum | work=Reuters | date=June 23, 2008}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.fasken.com/en/experience/2008/08/skye-resources-and-hudbay-minerals-complete-us$460-million-business-combination | title=Skye Resources and HudBay Minerals complete US$460 million business combination | work=Fasken | date=August 26, 2008}} Sky Resources was sold to Solway Group in 2011 for US$170 million.{{Cite news | url=https://www.mining.com/hudbay-minerals-completes-the-sale-of-the-fenix-project-for-us170-million-to-the-solway-group/ | title=HudBay Minerals completes the sale of the Fenix project for US$170 million to the Solway Group | first=Michael Allan | last=McCrae | work=Glacier Media | date=September 9, 2011 | url-access=limited}}

In late 2008, the company entered into a merger agreement with Lundin Mining; at the time, Hudbay owned 20% of Lundin Mining. However, the proposed transaction failed to receive investor support due to the 2008 financial crisis and was terminated in February 2009; Hudbay sold its stake in Lundin in May 2009.{{cite news | url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2009/02/23/hudbay_lundin_call_off_allstock_merger_deal.html | title=HudBay, Lundin call off all-stock merger deal | work=Toronto Star | date=February 23, 2009}} {{cite news | last=French | first=Cameron | title=Hudbay agrees to buy Lundin Mining, shares plunge | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lundin-hudbay-idUSTRE4AK5S420081121 | work=Reuters | date=November 21, 2008}}

In 2008, shortly after the Lalor deposit discovery, the corporate head office was relocated to Toronto, Ontario from Winnipeg, Manitoba.{{cite news | url=https://www.thereminder.ca/local-news/hudbay-hq-moving-to-toronto-4028888 | title=HudBay HQ moving to Toronto | last=Naylor | first=Jonathan | work=The Reminder | date=September 15, 2008}}

In early 2009, Hudbay Minerals suspended operations except maintenance at the Chisel North Mine in Snow Lake, Manitoba due to falling zinc metal prices and increased costs. Operations were restarted in 2010.{{cite news | title=BASE METAL MINING: HudBay to restart Chisel North mine and Snow Lake mill | url=https://www.canadianminingjournal.com/news/base-metal-mining-hudbay-to-restart-chisel-north-mine-and-snow-lake-mill/ | work=Canada Mining Journal | date=November 8, 2009}}

In March 2011, Hudbay acquired Norsemont Mining and its Constancia copper mine in Peru for C$520 million.{{cite news | url=https://www.lexpert.ca/big-deals/hudbay-minerals-acquires-norsemont-mining-for-520m/347380 | title=Hudbay Minerals Acquires Norsemont Mining For $520M | work=Lexpert}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/miner-hudbay-buys-norsemont-for-520m-1.1054673 | title=Miner HudBay buys Norsemont for $520M | agency=The Canadian Press | work=CBC News | date=January 10, 2011}} Construction on the mine began in August 2012 at a projected cost of $1.5 billion{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443991704577577104266393384 | title=HudBay Board Approves Peru Mine Construction | first=Carolyn | last=King | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=August 8, 2012 | url-access=subscription}} and commercial production commenced in April 2015.{{cite news | url=https://www.e-mj.com/leading-developments/hudbay-declares-commercial-production-at-constancia-in-peru/ | title=Hudbay Declares Commercial Production at Constancia in Peru | work=Engineering & Mining Journal | date=May 13, 2015}}

In June 2014, Hudbay acquired Augusta Resource Corporation, owner of the proposed Rosemont Copper project in Arizona, for $555 million.{{cite news | url=https://www.lexpert.ca/big-deals/hudbay-minerals-inc-acquires-augusta-resource-corp/347991 | title=Hudbay Minerals Inc. acquires Augusta Resource Corp. | work=Lexpert}} In 2017, Hudbay received the permits necessary to build and operate the mine; however, these permits were overturned by a court in 2019 and that decision was affirmed in an appeal in 2022. The project faced opposition due to possible pollution, water damage, and habitat destruction.{{Cite news | last=Davis | first=Tony | title=Hudbay, Forest Service won't appeal ruling blocking Rosemont Mine | url=https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/hudbay-forest-service-wont-appeal-ruling-blocking-rosemont-mine/article_e2ed87b0-7669-11ed-8879-d700ff320425.html | work=Arizona Daily Star | date=December 12, 2022}} to the Supreme Court. The ruling affects other potential mines in the Ninth Circuit that may seek to dispose of waste on public lands under color of the 1872 Mining Law.{{Cite news | last=Davis | first=Tony | title='Shocking,' 'blockbuster' Rosemont Mine ruling has national implications, experts say | url=https://tucson.com/news/local/shocking-blockbuster-rosemont-mine-ruling-has-national-implications-experts-say/article_55dd98cc-128b-5105-9590-186f8c2c1e8f.html | work=Arizona Daily Star |date=August 16, 2019}} Instead, Hudbay focused on the nearby Copper World project, discovered in 2021 and on private lands.

In April 2015, Hudbay acquired the Snow Lake gold mine and mill, formerly New Britannia, from QMX Gold for US$12.3 million.{{cite news | url=https://www.northernminer.com/financial-matters/hudbay-picks-up-qmx-golds-snow-lake-projectb/1003581634/ | title=Hudbay picks up QMX Gold’s Snow Lake mine | first=Trish | last=Saywell | work=The Northern Miner | date=April 22, 2015}}

In January 2018, Hudbay acquired mining properties near its Constancia mine in southern Peru.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/business/hudbay-acquires-mining-properties-near-its-constancia-mine-in-peru-idUSASB0C09H/ | title=Hudbay Acquires Mining Properties Near Its Constancia Mine In Peru | work=Reuters | date=January 9, 2018}}{{Cite press release | url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/01/08/1285401/0/en/Hudbay-Acquires-Mining-Properties-Near-its-Constancia-Mine-in-Peru.html | title=Hudbay Acquires Mining Properties Near its Constancia Mine in Peru | publisher=GlobeNewswire | date=January 8, 2018}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.mining.com/hudbay-minerals-expands-footprint-peru/

| title=Hudbay Minerals expands footprint in Peru | first=Cecilia | last=Jamasmie | work=Glacier Media | date=January 9, 2018 | url-access=limited}}

In December 2018, the company acquired Mason Resources, owner of the Ann Mason project in Nevada.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/12/19/1669454/0/en/Hudbay-Minerals-Completes-Acquisition-of-Mason-Resources.html | title=Hudbay Minerals Completes Acquisition of Mason Resources | publisher=GlobeNewswire | date=December 19, 2018}}

In February 2019, the company announced a C$124 million refurbishment at the Lalor mine to double production and extend its useful life.{{Cite news | url=https://www.miningweekly.com/article/hudbay-plans-c124m-mill-refurbishment-to-double-manitoba-mines-gold-output-2019-02-20 | title=Hudbay plans C$124m mill refurbishment to double Manitoba mine's gold output | first=Mariaan | last=Webb | work=Mining Weekly | date=February 20, 2019}}

In March 2019, Hudbay extended the life of its 777 mine to 2022.{{cite news |url=https://www.thereminder.ca/news/local-news/777-mine-life-extended-into-second-quarter-of-2022-1.23774146 |title=777 mine life extended into second quarter of 2022 | first=Eric |last=Westhaver | work=The Reminder | date=March 28, 2019}}

On February 18, 2020, the community of Chilloroya formally approved a surface rights agreement with Hudbay for the Pampacancha satellite deposit located near the Constancia mine in Peru.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/02/18/1986655/0/en/Hudbay-Announces-Pampacancha-Surface-Rights-Agreement.html | title=Hudbay Announces Pampacancha Surface Rights Agreement | publisher=GlobeNewswire | date=February 18, 2020}}

In September 2022, Hudbay closed the 777 mine, along with all production operations in Flin Flon.{{cite news | url=https://www.thereminder.ca/local-news/hudbay-ends-active-production-at-777-mine-closure-efforts-underway-for-flin-flon-operations-5506493 | title=Hudbay ends active production at 777 mine, closure efforts underway for Flin Flon operations | first=Eric | last=Westhaver | work=The Reminder | date=June 22, 2022}}

In September 2023, Hudbay acquired Rockcliff Metals, with operations in the Snow Lake area of central Manitoba, for C$18 million.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/09/14/2743421/0/en/Rockcliff-Metals-Announces-Completion-of-Transaction-With-Hudbay-Minerals.html | title=Rockcliff Metals Announces Completion of Transaction With Hudbay Minerals | publisher=PR Newswire | date=September 14, 2023}}

In January 2025, the company sought approval for a $210 million expansion of its Constancia copper mine in Peru.{{Cite news | url=https://www.mining.com/hudbay-minerals-seeks-approval-for-210m-peru-mine-expansion/ | title=Hudbay Minerals seeks approval for $210m Peru mine expansion | work=Glacier Media | date=January 7, 2025 | url-access=limited}} Also in January 2025, the company increased its ownership of Arizona Sonoran Copper Company to 9.99% with a C$20 million investment.{{Cite news | url=https://www.mining.com/hudbay-increases-stake-in-arizona-sonoran-to-9-99/ | title=Hudbay increases stake in Arizona Sonoran to 9.99% | work=Glacier Media | date=January 9, 2025 | url-access=limited}}

In January 2025, the company received permits and for its Copper World project in Arizona.{{Cite news | url=https://www.mining.com/hudbays-copper-world-project-in-arizona-fully-permitted/ | title=Hudbay receives all permits for Copper World project in Arizona | work=Glacier Media | date=January 2, 2025}} In April 2025, it received support from labor unions for the project.{{Cite news | url=https://www.mining.com/hudbay-secures-union-support-for-copper-world-mine-in-arizona/ | title=Hudbay secures union support for Copper World mine in Arizona | work=Glacier Media | date=April 11, 2025}}{{Cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hudbay-and-labor-unions-announce-commitment-to-project-labor-agreement-for-the-copper-world-project-302425036.html | title=Hudbay and Labor Unions Announce Commitment to Project Labor Agreement for the Copper World Project | work=PR Newswire | date=April 10, 2025}}

In March 2025, the company acquired Mitsubishi Materials' 25% stake in the Copper Mountain mine for $44.25 million, increasing its ownership in the mine to 100%.{{Cite news | url=https://www.mining.com/hudbay-becomes-sole-owner-of-copper-mountain-mine-in-british-columbia/ | title=Hudbay becomes sole owner of Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia | work=Glacier Media | date=March 27, 2025}}

In May 2025, the company sold its Tartan West project to Canadian Gold.{{Cite news | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/canadian-gold-to-acquire-hudbay-minerals-tartan-west-property-in-canada/ar-AA1F5dy1 | title=Canadian Gold to acquire Hudbay Minerals’ Tartan West property in Canada | via=MSN | date=May 2025}}

In 2025, the company was criticized after 8,600 litres of waste was released in a month from the company's Copper Mountain mine near Princeton, British Columbia.{{Cite news | url=https://indiginews.com/news/similkameen-leader-questions-about-copper-mountain-spills-says-no-consent/ | title=Similkameen leader questions Hudbay about Copper Mountain Mine spills, says no consent for expansion | first=Aaron | last=Hemens | work=indiginews | date=June 20, 2025}} The company said that there was no danger from the spills.{{Cite news | url=https://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/local-news/hudbay-says-no-danger-from-spills-at-copper-mountain-mine-near-princeton-8083874 | title=Hudbay says no danger from spills at Copper Mountain Mine near Princeton | first=Brennan | last=Phillips | work=Penticton Western News | date=June 20, 2025}}

In 2025, the company was sued to stop its plans for transporting mining waste across protected Arizona State Trust Land.{{Cite news | url=https://www.kgun9.com/news/community-inspired-journalism/vail/residents-near-proposed-copper-mine-raise-health-and-safety-concerns-at-community-meeting | title=Residents near proposed copper mine raise health and safety concerns at community meeting | first=Joel | last=Foster | work=KGUN-TV | date=June 16, 2025}}

In June 2021, operations at the Lalor mine were temporarily suspended after a fatality when a worker fell from a high distance.{{Cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/hudbay-minerals-says-underground-mining-lalor-mine-halted-after-fatality-2021-06-21/ | title=Hudbay Minerals says underground mining at Lalor mine halted after fatality | first=Kanishka | last=Singh | editor-first=Muralikumar | editor-last=Anantharaman | work=Reuters | date=June 21, 2021}}

The Fenix Nickel Project in Guatemala, a substantial brownfield lateritic nickel mine and process plant that has been on care and maintenance since 1980, was 98.2% owned by Hudbay Minerals from August 2008 to September 2011.

In early January 2007, at least five Mayan communities were forcibly displaced from their lands. Dozens of houses were burnt to the ground. As part of the evictions, 13 Mayan women claimed that they were gang raped in Lote Ocho.{{Cite news | url=https://rabble.ca/politics/canadian-politics/historic-ruling-means-canadian-mining-company-to-be-tried-on-home-soil-abuses-abroad/ | title=Historic ruling means Canadian mining company to be tried on home soil for abuses abroad | first1=Liam | last1=Barrington-Bush | first2=Jen | last2=Wilton | work=rabble.ca | date=July 24, 2013}}

In 2010, a $12 million lawsuit filed in Canada against Hudbay alleged that on September 27, 2009, security personnel employed at the Fenix mine surrounded, beat, and hacked at Adolfo Ich Chamán, a Mayan community leader who was fighting efforts to evict villagers, with machetes, then shot him in the head at close range in an unprovoked attack. German Chub Choc was shot and paralyzed from the waist down.{{cite news | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/widow-files-12m-suit-against-mining-company-1.918298 | title=Widow files $12M suit against mining company | work=CBC News | date=December 2, 2010}}{{cite news | url=https://theworld.org/stories/2013/08/15/guatemalan-peasants-sue-canadian-mining-company-hudbay | first1=Laura | last1=Lynch | first2=Lisa | last2=Mullins | title=Guatemalan Peasants Sue Canadian Mining Company Hudbay | date=November 30, 2012 | publisher=Public Radio International | work=The World | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204110244/http://www.theworld.org/2012/11/guatemala-mining-hudbay/ | archive-date=December 4, 2012 | url-status=live}} An arrest warrant was issued for the Head of Security at the Fenix mine.{{Cite news | work=Business and Human Rights Resource Center | url=https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/guatemalan-widows-lawsuit-against-hudbay-could-be-precedent-setting/ | title=Guatemalan widow's lawsuit against Hudbay could be precedent setting}} He pleaded guilty in January 2021 and was convicted of the murder.{{Cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jan/07/guatemala-nickel-mine-death-adolfo-ich | title=Guatemala mine's ex-security chief convicted of Indigenous leader's murder | first=Sandra | last=Cuffe | work=The Guardian | date=January 7, 2021}}

In June 2013, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled that Hudbay could be legally responsible forthe crimes committed in Guatemala. A jury notice was filed in December 2013.{{cite web | last=Lazenby| first=Henry |url=https://www.miningweekly.com/article/guatemalan-plaintiffs-file-jury-notice-against-hudbay-minerals-in-ontario-2013-12-12 |title=Guatemalan plaintiffs file jury notice against Hudbay Minerals in Ontario | work=Mining Weekly | date=December 12, 2013}}{{cite web | url=https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2013/2013onsc1414/2013onsc1414.html | title=Ontario Superior Court of Justice 2013 ONSC 1414 CV-10-411159 | work=CanLII | date=July 22, 2013}}

In October 2024, the civil lawsuits regarding the rapes of the Mayan women, the 2009 killing of Adolfo Ich Chamán, the 2009 shooting and paralysis of German Chub Choc were all settled; compensation was paid to the victims.{{Cite news | url=https://www.stalbertgazette.com/national-business/hudbay-minerals-settles-civil-lawsuits-regarding-former-operations-in-guatemala-9622642 | title=Hudbay Minerals settles civil lawsuits regarding former operations in Guatemala | agency=The Canadian Press | work=St. Albert Gazette | date=October 7, 2024}}{{Cite press release | url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/07/2958964/0/en/Hudbay-Reaches-a-Mutually-Agreed-Settlement-in-Longstanding-Civil-Lawsuits-Related-to-Former-Guatemala-Operations.html | title=Hudbay Reaches a Mutually Agreed Settlement in Longstanding Civil Lawsuits Related to Former Guatemala Operations | publisher=GlobeNewswire | date=October 7, 2024}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.miningweekly.com/article/hudbay-settles-long-standing-guatemala-lawsuits-2024-10-08 | title=Hudbay settles long-standing Guatemala lawsuits | first=Mariaan | last=Webb | work=Mining Weekly | date=October 8, 2024}} Hudbay was represented by Fasken and the lawsuits were "settled without admission of liability by the defendants and with the acknowledgement that the parties continue to have fundamentally differing views on the facts underlying the allegations".{{Cite web | url=https://www.fasken.com/en/experience/2024/11/hudbay-minerals-defends-against-claims-of-negligence-in-the-context-of-alleged-sexual-assaults | title=Hudbay Minerals Inc. defends against claims of negligence in the context of alleged sexual assaults in the location of a foreign subsidiary | work=Fasken | date=November 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.hudbayminerals.com/}}
• [https://www.sedarplus.ca/csa-party/viewInstance/view.html?id=0c11f8b7998bcd96d50cb03ee0af4dba753f2c7e676bf022 Company Profile] on SEDAR
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20190925111802/http://www.chocversushudbay.com/ Choc v. HudBay Minerals Inc. and Caal v. HudBay Minerals Inc.] – Lawsuits against HudBay Minerals Inc. over human rights abuses in Guatemala

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Category:1927 establishments in Ontario

Category:1996 establishments in Ontario

Category:Canadian companies established in 1996

Category:Companies based in Toronto

Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange

Category:Companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange

Category:Copper mining companies of Canada

Category:Copper mining companies of the United States

Category:Flin Flon

Category:Metal companies of Canada

Category:Mining in Arizona

Category:Nickel mining companies of Canada

Category:Non-renewable resource companies established in 1927

Category:Non-renewable resource companies established in 1996

Category:Smelting