Description:
The Southwest is the United States’ richest storehouse of metals and industrial minerals and is
likely to remain so for many years. Arizona ranked first in mineral production in the US in 2005 with a
production value of $4.73 billion according to preliminary figures released by the USGS. Arizona leads
the Nation in copper and molybdenum production, and ranks in the top five in gemstones, perlite,
silver, zeolites, iron oxide, pumice, and sand and gravel. Additionally, Arizona produces, or has
produced, zinc, lead, beryllium, vanadium, uranium, tungsten, rare earths, manganese, coal, and at
least 18 varieties of industrial minerals.
In 2004, Arizona accounted for 62 percent of the U.S. copper production. The copper industry has
a $3.3 billion direct and indirect impact on the Arizona economy. Arizona’s three largest copper
producers, Asarco Inc., BHP Copper Inc., and Phelps Dodge also produce significant amounts of
molybdenum, gold, and silver as byproducts in the production of copper. Phelps Dodge’s Morenci mine
produced 800 million pounds of copper in 2005, has the largest EW plant in the world, and is the world’s
fifth largest mine.
Exploration and