Copper and rare metals producer JX Nippon Mining & Metals USA, Inc. has begun construction on a new electronic materials manufacturing plant in Mesa, Arizona. The project is expected to create more than 100 jobs by 2025.

The 273,000-square-foot facility is located on 63 acres at the northeast corner of Germann Road and Crismon Road. The plant will produce sputtering targets for semiconductors and produce more than double the production of JX USA’s existing Chandler plant. Operations are planned for early 2024.

“JX Nippon Mining & Metals USA, Inc. is a cutting-edge electronic materials manufacturer,” said Masago Kuwabara, President & CEO of JX Nippon Mining & Metals USA, Inc. “We are proud to be moving forward on our commitment to manufacture electronic materials in the City of Mesa. With an outstanding team of designers and engineers, and a product strategy, we expect today to be just the start of a longstanding presence in this dynamic city.”

JX USA will also utilize this site as an incubator for new business development, and intends to make it the center of JX USA’s business in the advanced materials field in the US in the future.

“Today’s groundbreaking showcases Arizona’s premier attractiveness for the semiconductor industry,” noted Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). “JX USA has been a leading advanced materials developer in Arizona for more than 30 years, and we are excited to see them expand their legacy in Mesa.”

JX Nippon Mining & Metals USA, Inc. is a 100% owned subsidiary of JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. The company supports both North America and Europe with sputtering targets (used for semiconductor, flat panel, magnetic and optical thin film applications), high-purity metals and compound semiconductor wafers.