Mining in Arizona: Major Operations, Minerals & Economic Impact

Arizona is a mining powerhouse – #1 in U.S. copper production, #2 in molybdenum, and a significant source of gold, silver, and critical minerals. The industry contributes ~$6-7 billion annually to the state economy and employs 12,000+ directly.

Major Active Mines

Major Proposed / Advanced Projects

Mineral Portfolio Beyond Copper

• Molybdenum: Byproduct at Morenci, Bagdad, Sierrita – #2 US producer
• Gold & Silver: Byproducts at copper mines; some dedicated ops (e.g., Moss Mine, Gold Road)
• Critical Minerals: Rhenium (Sierrita), tellurium, rare earths (exploration stage)
• Industrial: Limestone, sand/gravel, gypsum, salt, perlite, zeolite – widespread
• Coal: Black Mesa (Kayenta mine closed 2019; Navajo Generating Station closed)
• Uranium: Historic production (Monument Valley, Lukachukai); current exploration only

Historic Districts Worth Knowing

• Bisbee (Warren District): Copper Queen, Lavender Pit – Queen of copper camps
• Jerome: "Billion Dollar Copper Camp" on Cleopatra Hill – now artist colony
• Globe-Miami: Old Dominion, Inspiration – historic porphyry copper
• Ajo: New Cornelia – massive open pit, company town, now border patrol hub

Regulation & Environment

• Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) – air, water, waste permits
• Arizona State Mine Inspector – safety, reclamation
• Federal: MSHA, BLM (federal lands), Forest Service, EPA (Clean Water Act)
• Reclamation: Required financial assurance; post-mining land use planning
• Water: Critical issue – mining competes with agriculture, municipalities, tribes

Economic Footprint (2023 Estimates)

• Direct employment: ~12,500 (avg wage ~$95K)
• Indirect/induced: ~35,000 jobs
• Tax revenues: ~$500M+ state/local
• Exports: Copper concentrate to Asia, Europe; molybdenum global

Arizona's mineral endowment – especially its world-class porphyry copper systems – ensures mining will remain central to its economy and the nation's critical mineral supply chain for decades.