Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Footprints of southern Arizona copper mines



We get lots of inquiries and one recent one asked about the size of the proposed Rosemont copper mine in the Santa Rita Mtns south of Tucson. AZGS senior geologist compiled a map showing the size of the pits (brown) for the nearby Pima, Twin Buttes, and Sierrita mines, along with that planned for Rosemont.

Tailings piles are shown in red, and dumps in yellow.

The tailings of the 3 existing mines are prominent along Interstate 19 and visible from many areas of Tucson.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:25 AM

    How does this reconcile with your report on projected copper price collapse within five years, and closure expected as a consequence, of some of the large corporate copper mines here? Doesn't this mean by the time Rosemont and Sunnyside {Augusta proposed projects] get their acts together, there can be no term production timely enough to resolve the currently disproportionate indebtedness they have incurred without even the "Prudent Man Rule" being satisfied? Isn't it time to research the assertion that artisan small mines mineral production is more beneficial and productive than corporate pits where more mineral resources are destroyed than is justified by low-value copper? Isn't it time to PROMOTE specialty mines which, I believe, can eclipse all the big mines in value of production and benefit to AZ's economy? At least encourage a public discussion of what you ignore: The New American Gem Rush.

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  2. Just to clarify, I am not predicting the copper price collapse - that post referenced a particularly pessimistic assessment by an analyst. I linked to it to offer the contrarian view about copper.

    I'd like to see more about your assertion that artisan mines are a better approach.

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