advertisement
2 January 2022
Copper is an indispensable metal in today’s high-tech world. It is a non-magnetic metal sought for its excellent thermal and electrical conductivity and good corrosion resistance and machinability. Its application covers a wide range of industries that uses this metal a great deal including energy, aerospace, transportation, and telecommunications.
advertisement
Although copper has been mined around the world for more than 6,000 years, it was only in the past 25 years that it became an important building block to the economy.
The United States became a major producer of copper by the end of the 19th century after the discovery of great deposits of the metal around Lake Superior in Michigan and in mines in Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada.
Gold sparked the mining boom in Arizona Territory, but other shiny metals helped the industry catch on here as well.
Prospectors who arrived in the area in the mid-1800s with dreams of striking it rich with gold quickly adapted to the more abundant copper and silver. These metals were sometimes more valuable than gold during the mining boom period.
It wasn’t easy living in a mining camp. Apart from the hard work, miners also had to deal with bands of robbers who wished to steal their hard-earned wealth.
Disease, floods, fires, and injuries were also constant threats. Three devastating fires struck Bisbee in a 23-year period starting in 1885. In 1908, three-quarters of the town was destroyed by fire.
Hundreds of people died from typhoid fever between 1888 and 1900.
Other people were also hell-bent on separating miners from their money, so they also had to endure (or enjoy, depending on your perspective) their attention.
Jerome, for example, became a hotbed of prostitution, gambling, and other vices. The New York Sun newspaper described it as the wickedest town in the West in an article on Feb. 5, 1903.
Arizona became the top copper producer in the US in 1910. Even today, the state continues to be the top producer with a copper output of approximately 68% of the copper produced in this country coming from Arizona mines.
advertisement
Arizona’s economy was built on 5 C’s – Copper, Cotton, Cattle, Climate, and Citrus. Arizona’s 5 C’s are finding markets throughout the United States. Of the products that are shipped to foreign countries counted as exports, copper ore tops Arizona’s 4 C’s exports.
Morenci is one of the greatest copper-producing mines in Arizona, which produces more than a third of the state total. Other large mining operations are Ray, Bagdad, Safford Mission, and Sierrita.
The mining industry is an important contributor to the state’s economy. In 2018, it provided a total economic impact of approximately $6.5 billion. In Arizona, an estimated 38,963 jobs are connected to mining in some way. The jobs in the mining industry pay an average wage of $102,859, more than twice that of all Arizona jobs.
The demand for copper is projected to increase even more in the future with the industrialization of China and India.
Arizona and its copper mining industry are expected to figure even more significantly in our economic development with a bright outlook from the continuing increase in industrialization in the world.
advertisement
Arizona is a state brimming with wild-west history, and one of its most celebrated traditions is the rodeo! Rodeos in Arizona provide a dynamic glimpse into this storied past, blending rugged cowboy skills with the high-octane energy of modern competition. advertisement Arizona Rodeo History Rodeo in Arizona traces its roots back to the late 1800s, reflecting the challenges and lifestyles of early cattle ranchers and cowboys. In Arizona, ranch hands faced the daily grind of herding cattle, breaking wild horses, and wrangling in the intense desert environment. Born out of necessity, the Rodeo was a way for these cowboys to
Arizona’s history is rich with tales of pioneers, miners, ranchers, and outlaws, but none are as infamous as the Cochise County Cowboys. These figures became synonymous with lawlessness in the late 1800s, and their stories spread far beyond the state’s borders. But what exactly made these cowboys so notorious? advertisement The Wild West Era and the Birth of Tombstone In the 1870s, the area that would become Tombstone, Arizona, was a barren stretch of land, home only to a few scattered settlements. But the town exploded when Ed Schieffelin, a prospector, discovered silver in the Tombstone Hills. By 1880, Tombstone
The Bobcats in Tucson Project (BIT), was launched by a group of Arizona Game and Fish retirees. They have provided insights into the lives of bobcats as they thrive in Tucson’s urban environments. The study, which ran from 2019 to 2024, highlighted the challenges and successes of bobcats coexisting with the human population in a sprawling city. advertisement The Bobcats in Tucson Project The BIT was driven by a team of wildlife experts, including Cheryl Mollohan, Kerry Baldwin, Al LeCount, Ron Day, and Dave Brown. They brought over 150 years of combined experience in wildlife research, management, and education. Their
As Arizona’s population continues to grow rapidly, the state faces the challenge of building a more efficient and sustainable transportation network to accommodate its residents. From urban sprawl in Phoenix to the quieter rural areas, Arizona’s transportation infrastructure is under increasing pressure. However, through a series of forward-thinking initiatives and innovative projects, Arizona is working to address these growing demands. While enhancing safety, sustainability, and mobility for cars, cyclists, pedestrians, and public transit users alike. advertisement Past Improvements and the Challenges Ahead Over the past few decades, Arizona has made great strides in expanding and upgrading its road infrastructure. Major
