Morenci Copper Mine

"Freeport-McMoRan’s Morenci Operations started in 1872, when the first commercial mining operations were developed. The initial underground mining began in 1881 and the mine later transitioned to open-pit mining beginning in 1937. In 1987 Morenci commissioned its first solution extraction/electrowinning plant and continued as a pioneer for mining technology. Today Morenci is one of North America’s largest producers of copper and one of the largest open-pit mines in the world with great potential for growth and continued prosperity."

open pit mining operation

"We supply natural resources that connect and sustain the world’s infrastructure. In Arizona we primarily produce copper and molybdenum."

"Molybdenum strengthens steel, resists heat and adds corrosion resistance to a wide variety of products. Its chemical products remove sulfur from crude oil, which results in cleaner-burning fuels and cleaner air. Molysulfide is used as a lubricant that can sustain its durability in tough operating conditions, such as with automotive brakes. We operate our business and our development plans prudently with an optimistic view about long-term, global demand for these metals."

this operation is one of the most environmentally 

advanced copper mines ever built

it is a zero discharge facility

one of two tunnels on Hwy 191

"The Detroit Copper Company started mining at Morenci in 1872. Copper Queen consolidated

Mining bought the property in 1885, with the company name changed to Phelps Dodge in 1917. Ninety years later in March 2007, Phelps Dodge merged with Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold." 

 

"Copper is closely tied to economic growth as it is a key component of energy, aerospace, transportation and telecommunications systems throughout the world. Also known as the red metal, copper is essential to plumbing, conductivity and connectivity and is a critical element in new technology. Additionally, antimicrobial copper is gaining prominence for its ability to reduce the spread of infections, specifically in hospital and healthcare settings."

mines 900,000 metric tons a day

(2015) area mines employed 3,100 people

waste is used primarily to backfill the open pit mine

the Morenci mine has one of the world's largest 

copper reserves

looks like a Tonka dump truck

jeep stamped on the tire

truck tire at the viewing area

Jon, Sherry & Dixie checking the view below

a California regiment 'discovered' copper in this area in 1865

Morenci Turquoise was a byproduct of the Morenci mine. For many years heavy-equipment operators at the mine would 'lunch box' the high grade turquoise out. "Many years ago, while mining for copper, workers unearthed a large zone of turquoise-bearing rock and realizing its value, began working this zone, neglecting the copper. In order to ensure copper production continuing, the copper company that held the mine at the time took the entire turquoise deposit, which was extensive, and buried it under thousands of tons of waste rock from the pit and it is still sitting there. Uncovering it would be too massive and expensive a project."

"Though today’s southwestern copper mines produce little turquoise, with the change of mining methods to crushing and acid washing the turquoise is destroys in the copper ore. The fact that Morenci turquoise is no longer being mined along with its beautiful blues and its silver colored matrix make Morenci very sought after in today’s turquoise market."

miners' cemetery on the hillside of the mine

have no idea if the graves are recent or from 

early in the last century

area mines had a $1.1 billion impact on AZ (2015)

mills 11,000 metric tons per day (2015)

rock? ore? riding the conveyor belt to the next step

area mines generated $435.4 million (directly & indirectly)

in Graham & Greenlee counties (2015)

an official mine tour would be very interesting

time did not allow it this trip

NOW the sun decides to shine

(it didn't last long)

Another Wednesday Adventure

Wednesday was another geocaching adventure. I have a geocaching goal while in AZ this winter ~ to cache in the other three AZ counties.

It would be possible to do all three counties in one two-day trip, but we chose to cache in Graham and Greenlee doing a day trip. We stopped in Globe to add Jon, Sherry and Dixie for the 100+ mile trip from their place. We have cached with lifeisguud before in SD, WA, and AZ. It was great to see them again after more than a year.

As much fun as a loop trip would have been because of the different landscapes, no one was excited about 500+ miles. 350+ was a long enough day, even for little Dixie, the dog.

traveled through farm country

Welcome to Thatcher

a stop at a Thatcher grocery store for a specialty soda

takes like cherry cola

geocached at the Safford City library

fun cache inside the library requiring some reference skills

on the part of the geocachers

cemetery in Safford

Veterans Memorial

excellent lunch at a Mexican restaurant

Welcome to Safford

remains of a cotton field

convicts helped build the road in 1916

this one was shot

a second convict grave

died 1916 because of sickness

no longer in farming country

heading to mining country

three of them looking for the graves

not like OUR Black Hills

Black Hills because of long ago volcanic activity

destination? Clifton & Morenci 

it was supposed to be a day of sunshine

It was after we left the Convicts Cemetery along the Black Hills Byway road and got back on Hwy 191 when a friendly AZ HP met our truck. He made a quick U-turn and followed us while Hubby reduced his speed. This friendly warning was the result of "speed greater than reasonable and prudent." Hubby thinks the near miss was because of the retired veteran plates on the truck. I think it was because of our pleasing personalities and cooperative smiles. Whatever the reason...we got a break!

cattle country

took photos of the deer while visiting with the HP

highway view

where's our sunshine????

dead animal next to the cache Sherry & I found

a rodent

Jon said it was a ring-tailed cat

Clifton geocache

jail in the stone

some very colorful stone work

leg-iron in the smaller rock wall, dirt-floor cell

larger cell

4 jailbirds

old main street of Clifton

she is NOT the social club

gun shop

quite the ornate building it its day

train depot now visitors center

We drove onto Morenci, home of the largest producing copper mine in the US. I will post those photos & comments in a separate post. Twenty caches and two more AZ counties. It was a successful day!

outdoor drive-in movie screen

view before we got back to Safford and the last 

100 miles home