Guest Opinion

Mining in the United States has become a difficult undertaking in
the past few years, mainly due to environmental activism and the
increasing constraints applied to new development. Yet despite the
opposition, some companies are proceeding with development, because the
rate of return on investment can be supported by the value of the
mineral deposit and the technological innovations that are now
available.

In addition, huge gains have been achieved in the possibilities for
environmental protection, topographic reclaiming design, and water
conservation and control. This is all necessary, because large copper
deposits are not being readily discovered, and the demand for copper is
escalating at a rate not seen in modern history. Competition for this
metal will dramatically increase, most notably in China and India.
Expecting foreign producers to meet a projected demand increase of more
than 500,000 tons a year and beyond could lead to conflict and much
higher prices.

A recent study by the Arizona State Department of Mines and Mineral
Resources, and the Arizona State University Seidman Research Institute,
has indicated that domestic copper production is on the decline. Within
the past year, the Pinto Valley Mine in Arizona has permanently closed,
and the outlook for several other mines in the United States remains
doubtful. In addition, several operations are not in a position to
substantially increase productive activity.

Considering it takes many years from concept to initial operations
at any new mine, the demand for copper will continue to increase, and
the cost of the metal will rise. This will also increase our dependence
on foreign sources. Our balance of payments will rise, and our national
wealth will diminish.

Copper windings, i.e., electric motors and generators, run this
planet. Copper is a critical metal, mined mostly in Arizona for U.S.
production, yet 33 percent of our country’s needs are imported from
outside of our national borders. If just half of that imported copper
could be produced through domestic mining, thousands of jobs would be
created. No longer would we have to export or outsource that employment
outside our borders, and we would achieve payrolls that would greatly
benefit communities with above-average incomes and with significant tax
revenues. In addition, many thousands of supportive and construction
jobs would also be created, which would benefit communities.

Most people understand that copper is used for wires and pipes, but
don’t have a clear concept of the command this metal has on everyday
living. Let’s cite the use of copper in today’s modern automobile. All
car manufacturers around the globe are working to achieve vehicles that
will limit negative environmental impacts. Ironically, in order to
achieve this goal, additional copper will be required. According to the
Copper Development Association, more than 50 pounds of copper are used
in today’s cars, while cars being made for the future will nearly
double that amount. That’s because hybrids will need copper motors
coming off gas and diesel engines to generate power to drive the
wheels. Totally electric cars will need even more copper. Without
copper, there would be no starter, alternator, battery, air
conditioning, anti-lock brakes, heater, wipers, turn signals, CD/radio,
electric windows and door locks or numerous other conveniences that
we’ve come to enjoy in our cars today.

So how do we change this course and help ourselves at the same time?
We encourage companies to take on the challenge and develop the mines
that are necessary to sustain our quality of life—in an
environmentally acceptable way. When the permitting authorities set up
the parameters for development, and they are achieved and accomplished
by the developer, the development must be allowed to proceed. Nothing
is off the table in our community anymore.

All options for growth must be evaluated, and the rejection of any
sustainable mining development, as is currently being expressed by
local leadership, is uninformed and shortsighted. A new normal is
emerging in this community, in this state and in this nation, and those
considering a return to the pre-recession days are not paying attention
to the direction in which this reality is going, nor the transformation
taking place in our economy.

Dave Efnor is a retired mining engineer with more than 20 years
in underground and surface mining, both domestic and international.
He’s lived in or called Tucson home for most of his life.

This article appears in Sep 3-9, 2009.