Press release from South32:
South32 Launches Community Air Quality Monitoring Dashboard
Publicly accessible dashboard to provide regular measurements of manganese, lead, silver, zinc, copper and total suspended particles in the air
November 4, 2025
South32 Hermosa – an advanced mine development project in the United States that could produce two federally designated critical minerals, manganese and zinc – has launched a new publicly accessible air quality monitoring dashboard, giving community members a view of local air quality conditions. The dashboard is part of South32’s commitment to transparently share data and provide air quality monitoring results in a timely manner.
South32’s community monitoring stations, built and maintained by ADVM² and located near Patagonia, Nogales, and Sonoita, were established in direct response to community desires to know more about the distribution of metals in the air before and during mining operations. Monitoring near current and future traffic routes associated with Hermosa has begun now, two years before the mine operations begin, to establish a background concentrations for comparison.
South32’s community monitoring stations, built and maintained by ADVM² and located near Patagonia, Nogales, and Sonoita, were established in direct response to community desires to know more about the distribution of metals in the air before and during mining operations. Monitoring near current and future traffic routes associated with Hermosa has begun now, two years before the mine operations begin, to establish a background concentrations for comparison.
Total suspended particulates and metals data from these stations will be available monthly, while meteorological information is provided in real time on the dashboard. Tracking wind direction and wind speed provides information on the general direction and location of emissions sources. Together, these datasets give residents and stakeholders clear, reliable information about air quality conditions in the areas surrounding Hermosa.
“These monitors are an important step in ensuring our community has reliable data about local air quality,” said Pat Risner, South32 Hermosa President. “We’ve listened to the community, in particular their thoughts around concerns for metals in dust from traffic routes, and this program, including the public dashboard, is designed to provide clarity and peace of mind.”
Air Monitoring Stations and Air Sample Testing
The ADVM² monitoring stations use EPA-standard methods to collect air samples that measure the total amount of particulate matter over a set period of time. Samples are then sent to a certified laboratory under strict quality control and chain-of-custody procedures, where high-resolution analysis determines both the total suspended particles and the concentrations of key metals, including manganese, lead, zinc, silver, and copper.
The dashboard can be accessed at any time by visiting: https://south32.advm2.net/public/#/