Author mines copper's history, complexities

Former Bisbee resident Bill Carter is author of "Boom, Bust, Boom: A Story About Copper, the Metal that Runs the World."

Author mines copper's history, complexities

A startling discovery in Bill Carter's backyard led the Arizona author to write his latest book, "Boom, Bust, Boom: A Story About Copper, the Metal that Runs the World."

Florence anti-sulfur restriction challenged

PHOENIX - The operators of a proposed copper mine in Florence want a federal judge to void a new town law that would effectively thwart the project.

County to drop appeal on Rosemont water permit

Pima County plans to drop its appeal of an April decision by the state's environmental agency approving a groundwater pollution prevention permit for the proposed Rosemont Mine.

Increased profits, costs predicted for Rosemont Mine

This composite of six images, facing east, shows the valley in the part of the area proposed for Rosemont Copper's open-pit mine in the Coronado National Forest in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson. Rosemont's parent company says it has found more copper sulfide reserves and has incre…

Increased profits, costs predicted for Rosemont Mine

From left, flotation concentrate (shining chalcopyrite), copper concentrate in a very fine, wetted, sand form; a solution of all the minerals in the copper ore rock, plus chemicals and water used to separate the calcopyrite; a compound containing copper, along with iron and sulfur, the basic…

Increased profits, costs predicted for Rosemont Mine

Caption unavailable

Increased profits, costs predicted for Rosemont Mine

Caption unavailable

Increased profits, costs predicted for Rosemont Mine

A worker moves copper cathodes, a process Rosemont has decided against, at a mine near Benson.

Increased profits, costs predicted for Rosemont Mine

Higher costs and profits than previously forecast are on tap for the proposed Rosemont Mine, says a new feasibility study.

Asarco mining giant notching 100 years of operation in AZ

An employee at Asarco's smelter in Hayden works to process copper concentrates. The smelter has operated since 1912, the company's first operation in Arizona, some 70 miles northeast of Tucson.

Asarco mining giant notching 100 years of operation in AZ

An operator aide at the south mill of the Mission Mine walks by the ball mill that grinds small rocks that will eventually be the size of table salt. The mine is composed of five open-pit properties south of Tucson.

Asarco mining giant notching 100 years of operation in AZ

Dump trucks and huge shovels remove material from the Mission Pit at the Mission Complex. To the right are holes where explosives will remove that portion of the floor later in the day.