Scaling Up With Tombstone South
Intrepid Metals | CEO Insights
There are places on the map where opportunity hides in plain sight. For me and for Intrepid Metals, Cochise County, Arizona, is one of them.
One of the major reasons for this is the permitting process. The idea for Intrepid Metals as a portfolio company came from my experience as chairman of another company in the area, where we got a mine permitted in two and a half years, start to finish - really record time. It’s a very friendly jurisdiction for mining.
Why This Matters:
Minimal permitting risk with a consistent track record
Strong infrastructure - major interstates and secondary roads, high voltage power lines, planned rail improvements, and an aquifer that’s not competing with commercial agriculture
Not a large population, and those that are there are very much in favour of it
I saw that Cochise County, about 200 miles south of Tucson, was doing for mining projects what most places couldn't: move fast, permit cleanly, and support mining with conviction.
My philosophy is: the biggest wins come when you act before others are ready. Don’t wait for the market to bless your vision. Move before the signal is obvious. That’s how we’re now positioned with Intrepid in one of the most strategic critical metals corridors in North America.
Tombstone’s Proven Geology
The Tombstone South Project sits just outside the historic mining district in a zone with strong structural and stratigraphic similarities to the Taylor Deposit, which was acquired by South32 for $1.3 billion in 2018. We’re not claiming that kind of valuation, of course, but the geology is compelling. The permitting is done. The infrastructure is built. And the community wants us there. That combination is rare, and when you find it, you don’t hesitate.
Cochise County has a consistent track record, a welcoming stance on responsible mining, and the infrastructure to support rapid development. All that matters. Because if you’re a major company looking to acquire, there’s a lot to like about the lack of risk here.
A New Chapter in Leadership for Intrepid Metals
I’m proud to share that in September 2025, I stepped into the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Intrepid Metals, leading the company into its next phase of growth and execution. Our mission remains to develop high-quality, critical metal projects that support the energy transition, and to do it faster, smarter, and more responsibly than the industry has come to expect.
We’re not here to slowly nudge along projects and wait for a better cycle. Tombstone South is one of several projects in our portfolio positioned to deliver serious value right now. We’re steadily de-risking, proving, and executing so that when majors are ready to buy, the clear answer is us. That’s how we create asymmetric returns and build a portfolio that punches above its weight.
The signal is already here for copper, for silver, for the energy transition. We’ll be here when the world catches up.
Let’s get to work.
Mark Morabito is focused on early-stage resource ventures, finding strong ground, building the thesis, assembling teams, and creating momentum that scales.
In the News
Resource World Magazine - December 2025
Intrepid Metals discovers new mineralization 1km east Corral Copper mineralization, Arizona
Intrepid hits high-grade copper in historic Arizona hotspot
Disclaimer
This blog post is for informational purposes only and may contain forward-looking statements. It is not investment advice. Always conduct your own due diligence before making any financial or investment decisions.
