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Arizona’s copper industry added $19 billion to the national economy in 2005, as activity and mining jobs in the state grew in response to worldwide demand and higher metals prices, according to a study released today.
 AZ Copper Adds $19B to U.S. Economy |
Copper mining has been contributing to the economy of what is now called Arizona since before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th Century. Beginning in the late 19th Century, copper mining and processing became one of the primary means by which first the Arizona Territory and then the State of Arizona were transformed from a wilderness to a modern industrial economy. Copper mining, smelting, refining, and fabricating remain an important part of that economy today.
Click here to read the 2005 Copper Economic Profile |
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Using a strong foundation to build a better future for mining
Founded in 1834 in New York City as a mercantile company, Phelps Dodge entered the mining business in Arizona in 1881. It moved its headquarters from New York to Phoenix in 1987. Along with active production, Phelps Dodge is engaged in reclaiming lands affected by historic mining operations, many of which began more than 100 years ago. Its Process Technology Center in Safford, Arizona, is one of the world’s premier labs dedicated to advances in modern mining.
Click here to continue reading this AZCU Profile |
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Balancing Cultural Preservation and Economic Development
As the sun rises above the Black Mesa in a fireball of orange, an elderly Navajo matriarch greets the warmth of the rays and the beauty of the new day. Soon she will herd her sheep and goats to a reclaimed pasture just over the hill, though first she must finish shearing. It’s difficult work, yet a routine that is steeped in tradition. Peabody operates as a guest on ancient Navajo and Hopi lands in Northeastern Arizona, where the Black Mesa and Kayenta mines annually produce about 13 million tons of coal that helps fuel low-cost electricity for the Southwest.
Click here to continue reading Mining on Black Mesa |
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It still remains a little known fact that there is a working salt mine here in Arizona. The Morton Salt, Glendale Facility is located outside of Phoenix and beneath the ground in every direction of the facility lies a vast salt deposit known as the Luke Salt Body. The salt deposit is estimated to contain at least 15 cubic miles of salt. Salt production at the Glendale facility began in 1969 by the Southwest Salt Company. Morton Salt purchased the facility from Southwest Salt in 1985. When visiting the Glendale facility, don’t expect to see a mine shaft protruding upwards from the ground. Solar Salt is produced at Glendale using the solution mining method. Two active brine wells were drilled 3,600 feet below ground level.
Click here to continue reading Back to the Salt Mines |
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San Manuel Operations
On June 25, 1999, BHP Billiton (BHPB) announced the suspension of operations at the BHP Copper Inc. (BHP) San Manuel copper mine and Smelter in Pinal County, Arizona. Subsequent to this announcement, BHPB aggressively pursued a number of alternatives for the underground mine and the smelter, including continued curtailed operations, sale to a qualified operator and closure of the property. After consideration of these various alternatives over a 3.5-year period, BHPB announced final closure of the mine site on Jan. 15, 2002. The San Manuel Plant operations (milling, smelting, refining, and tailings) were also placed into “care and maintenance” in June of 1999. After more than four years of option analyses, BHP Copper announced permanent closure of the Plant site on October 22, 2003.
Click here to continue reading BHP Copper, INC - State of Closure |
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Copper Industry Continues Growth As Jobs and Economic Impact Soar in 2007
Copyright © 2006 Arizona Mining Association. All rights reserved.