The Environment
What many people do not understand is that copper miners, by and large, are environmentalists. Part of what keeps them working and living in Arizona, besides high paying jobs, is the opportunity to enjoy our wide open spaces, to hike our varied terrain, and to fish in clear, clean mountain streams.

An appreciation for Arizona and the resources provided by its land are, by themselves, enough to ensure that mining companies do the right thing when it comes to balancing environmental and economic needs. But even if that appreciation didn't exist, Arizona's copper companies would still be responsible for observing some of the strictest environmental regulations in the nation.

These regulations, along with the increasing environmentalism of many miners and their families, ensure that mines help protect and conserve both ground and surface water, maintain the habitats of native plants and animals, and reclaim land after it has been mined. In many areas, where mines no longer operate, the land and its ecosystem are as rich or richer than before mining began.

Safety
Arizona copper companies operate some of the safest mines in America. Employees realize that to succeed in the mining industry, safety has to be a number one priority. This attitude has helped earn Arizona mines an international reputation for their dedication to safety.

Worker Appreciation
Although many Arizona families have been making their living in mines for generations, working conditions have improved dramatically. Besides an emphasis on safety, there is also an effort to empower employees so they become more involved in the decisions facing the mining business and the destiny of copper. Meanwhile, as they have since the early mining days, mining companies continue to pay some of the highest salaries in the state and attract some of the best and brightest workers.

Arizona mines and miners cooperate to create some of the safest mines in all of America.

Community Partnerships
The mining industry of today includes some of Arizona's most community involved and socially responsible businesses. Mining companies give generously to the arts and culture, to health care and human services, and to education and the environment. That's in addition to taxes, fees and other assessments paid throughout the state.

Mining companies don't just contribute financially to Arizona. Miners also give of their hearts and their souls to help our communities grow and prosper. After all, miners built Arizona. We want to maintain and share the fruits of our labor.

The mining industry's tireless comittment to preservation and restoration leaves many areas where mines no longer operate as rich--or richer--than before mining began.

A Shared Vision for Arizona
shared vision Copper in Arizona is a forward looking and thinking industry. Our rich stories of discovery and development are surpassed only by solid statistics showing the past, present and future economic impact that copper and copper mining have on Arizona.

Each member company of the Arizona Mining Association — ASARCO Incorporated, BHP Copper Inc., Cyprus Climax Metals Company and Phelps Dodge Corporation — is a multinational business with either corporate or copper headquarters located in Arizona. They spend millions each year purchasing products, services and energy from Arizona suppliers; pay some of the highest wages in the state, along with millions in state and local taxes; and, through corporate giving, help fund Arizona's continuing growth and quality of life.

Will Arizona's copper companies continue to help Arizona grow and prosper? If the past is any indication, Arizona and copper are looking toward a bright and productive future. Arizona has grown with mining, and with mining Arizona will continue to grow well into the 21st century.

Dedication
This publication is dedicated to the hard-working, highly-skilled men and women who mine and produce copper in Arizona.

Acknowledgements
The Arizona Mining Association would like to thank the following organizations for providing some of the photographic images that help to bring this publication to life (see graphics version for photographs):
ASARCO Incorporated, BHP Copper, Inc., Cyprus Climax Metals Company, Phelps Dodge Corporation, Salt River Project, the Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources, and the Arizona Historical Society.