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By Sam Hosler
Mayor, Town of Kearny
The price of copper has been dropping. Six months ago it stood at $3.25. Last week it had plunged to $2.48, and has since crept up to about $2.60.
The price of copper is perplexing. The experts can’t tell you much about the why and wherefore of rising or falling copper price. All we know is that international affairs have about the same weight as supply and demand. China’s role in this is a big factor, and so is the conflict in the Ukraine, for the United States, China, and Russia are participating in a complex economic dance.
When prices go down, about the only response mines have is to reduce output to make copper more valuable. The word on the street is that ASARCO will soon have layoffs and will reduce its tonnage. It is likely that solid details will be released later this week, but in the meantime the people of Kearny and the whole Copper Basin will have to begin a “rethink” about life in the next several months.
This has happened time and again. It’s the nature of a mining economy. But it’s never pleasant when things go South. No one who has been doing a good job at the mine likes being out of work because of the price of copper. It’s not the worker’s fault. It’s the fault of a multi-national economy which is miles beyond the needs of individuals.
Let’s care for each other, as we have done before. Let’s help those without work find jobs, temporary or full-time. Let’s continue to support our local merchants who have served us so well. Let’s provide assistance to the Copper Area Food Bank and make use of the job service at our library.
And, for the good of our children, let’s keep looking for ways to enlarge our economy so we will be less dependent on mine economics. Join the Copper Basin Chamber of Commerce and take part. Support the Mayors’ Group as they work to bring greater cooperation among the Copper Basin towns. And let’s support our children by supporting our schools.
If we have solidarity with each other, remarkable things can happen.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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