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Phoenix– More than 500 attendees, including Arizona legislators and their staff, state agency staff and mining company representatives attended the Arizona Mining Association’s (AMA) and Arizona Rock Products Association’s (ARPA) Mining Day at the Capitol. There were also four area schools visiting the Capitol and included the outdoor mining equipment exhibit in their tours.
The size and scope of the equipment, tools and displays was a mountain-sized visible impact to visitors demonstrating how significant mining is in Arizona. Freeport McMoRan with the help of Empire-Cat brought in a huge 777 Off-highway Mining Truck, 988 Wheel Loader, two 797 Tires, and simulators for visitors to test drive a haul truck and loader. ASARCO LLC brought in the Copper Triangle Exhibit. Other mining vehicles on display included a McNeilus Ready Mix Truck, CEMEX Cement Truck Simulator, CTI Powder Hauler, Atlas Copco Drill Rig, FNF Paver, Flaska P400 Telehandler and Utility Truck, and Enterprise Truck Rentals Decked out Safety Truck.
In addition to the equipment, attendees could also view and pick up information provided by a host of informational displays from ASARCO LLC, Carlota Copper Company, Energy Fuels, Florence Copper, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Golden Vertex, Rosemont Copper, Granite Construction, Gruvedrift Enterprises, Resolution Copper, Agate Inc., Atlas Copco, CEMEX, Drake Aggregates, Drake Materials, Fisher Industries, Salt River Materials Group, Southwestern Scale, Arizona State Mine Inspector, Empire-Cat, Boys Scouts of America, University of Arizona Department of Mining and Geological Engineering, Arizona Mining Association, and Arizona Rock Products Association.
“This was the first year that a mining appreciation event has been held at the Capitol”, said Kelly Norton, President of the Arizona Mining Association. In 2012, AMAmember companies produced approximately 65% of the nation’s newly-minedcopper, along with significant amounts of associated valuable co-products (e.g., gold,silver, selenium, tellurium and molybdenum).
“The products produced through mining have a positive economic and strategic effect for our state and our nation,” she said. “In 2012, the mining industry had a direct and indirect employment totaling 52,100 jobs. Of that total, 12,100 were direct mining employees. The mining industry had an estimated direct and indirect impact on the Arizona economy of nearly $5 billion.”
In addition to copper, silver and gold, AMA members also are engaged in the miningof coal, uranium and strategic mineral resources, and make significant contributionsto the Arizona economy as a result of those activities. Historically, copper is one ofArizona’s five C’s driving the state’s economy, along with Cotton, Climate, Cattle and Citrus, bringing residents, visitors and jobs to the state.
About the AMA
Founded in 1965, AMA is a non-profit business league comprised of entities engaged inmetal mining, mineral exploration, development, and production of copper, molybdenum, coal, uranium, gold, silver and other valuable minerals in Arizona. The AMA represents 28mining-related companies and 12 consulting and legal firms that have operations or officesin Arizona. One of the main priorities of the AMA is to represent its members in the development of federal and state regulations which affect mining interests in Arizona.
For more, visit www.azmining.org.
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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