Community
Phoenix Copper’s operations are administered by our operating subsidiary, Konnex Resources, in Custer County, Idaho, where our flagship project, the proposed Empire Open-Pit mine, is located. The nearest community is the city of Mackay, home to about 500 residents.
The success of our proposed mining operation depends on strong community support, and we have worked diligently to build meaningful relationships with local residents. Their feedback has been integral to shaping our mine plan as we prepare to present it to regulators.
Our proposed operations have the potential to bring significant benefits to the local economy by providing well-paying jobs and creating opportunities for service providers, entrepreneurs, and suppliers. We also look forward to employing young people and recent graduates, helping to address youth migration driven by a lack of job opportunities in the area.
The Konnex Community Advisory Team
The Konnex Community Advisory Team (KCAT) was established in February 2022 to foster a lasting partnership built on transparency and accountability between the Company and the local communities. The committee consists of three representatives from Konnex Resources and Phoenix Copper, along with 11 independent residents from Custer and Butte Counties, bringing diverse expertise in municipal affairs, local business, entrepreneurship, land use, education, and more. KCAT members leverage their unique insights to serve as an advisory group, creating consistent communication between the Company and local residents while identifying ways for the Company to benefit the community effectively. The committee developed its own bylaws and appointed an independent facilitator to oversee its activities.
KCAT Scholarship and Community Fund Committees
In addition to KCAT’s work as a group, its members also break out into committees that approve and distribute Konnex-sponsored funds, such as student scholarships and community funds. These committees allow members of the community to guide Konnex’s mission to invest in the students, non-profits, organizations, and events that make Mackay the great community that it is.
- Scholarships
- Each year, KCAT collects scholarship applications from high school students in Custer and Butte counties. In years past, three of these applications have been selected by the KCAT Scholarship Committee to recieve $1,000 cash scholarships for expenses associated with attending a university, community college, or trade school.
- Scholarship application deadlines vary each year but typically are accepted through mid-April. Students interested in applying can receive an application from their school counselor or request one by emailing [email protected].
- Community Funds
- Each year, the Company provides KCAT with a budget for distributing Konnex-sponsored community funds. The approach for distributing funds can vary, but are often distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. The funds are available to organizations and events directly serving the communities surrounding our operations, such as 4-H programs, the Mackay Barbeque, and more.
- If you have an event, community project, or charity in Butte or Custer County that you would like to be considered for our Konnex Community Funds, please email [email protected] to receive an application and the directions for submitting it.
Join the Konnex Community Advisory Team
Anyone living within Custer and Butte Counties is invited to apply to join KCAT. If there is not currently an open position on the committee, applications will be held until there is an opening.
To receive a KCAT application and directions for submitting it, please;
Historical Mining
Mackay is prominent in Idaho’s mining history, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in 1901, the city thrived thanks to its nearby copper mining operations. Today, Mackay continues to celebrate its rich mining heritage with a local museum that highlights its vibrant past. As a tribute to the industry’s lasting impact, the city’s school mascot is the “Mackay Miners.”
