Freeport-McMoRan’s Sierrita mine operation, is situated just west of Green Valley. But everyone seems to forget they exist… So they did a private media tour with Green Valley News for exposure. This unique opportunity shed light on the magnitude and technological sophistication of the operation, offering insight into its operations, community engagement, and educational initiatives. We decided to use this opportunity to write about

Operation Scale and Workforce

• Employee Strength: The Sierrita mine boasts a workforce of over 1200 individuals operating in four shifts, ensuring continuous production 24/7.
• Expansive Size: Spanning across an impressive 60 square miles, the mine stands as a sprawling testament to industrial mining.
• Production Volume: Leveraging eight drills, the operation mines up to a staggering 200,000 tons of ore daily. Additionally, the mill processes an average of 100,000 metric tons per day, totaling about 36.5 million metric tons annually.
• Longevity: With an anticipated life expectancy of over 80 years, the Sierrita mine stands as a durable and sustainable venture.

Haul Trucks: Technological Marvels

• Innovative Features: Beyond their apparent ore-hauling function, these trucks incorporate advanced technology. Equipped with cameras that monitor driver fatigue, shock sensors to assess road conditions, and an array of component-specific sensors, these vehicles are at the forefront of mining technology.
• Partnerships and Cost: Partnering with Empire, Freeport invests more than $5 million in refurbishing or rebuilding each truck when necessary.
• Specifications: These trucks have a colossal capacity of 240 tons and stand at an impressive height of 43 feet with the bed up, 21 feet from the cab, 24 feet wide, and 42 feet long.
• Maintenance: Maintenance costs are substantial, with each tire costing between $30,000 and $35,000, significantly larger than typical car rims.

Shovels: Power and Investment

• High Costs: The Sierrita Mine operates four shovels, each costing over $32 million. Comparable Freeport locations typically operate between one to five shovels, while the Morenci location boasts 11.
• Philanthropic Endeavors: Freeport-McMoRan’s commitment to community welfare is commendable. Their substantial investments in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona aim at education, workforce development, economic growth, and community resilience.

Community Engagement and Education Initiatives

• Financial Contributions: Over the years, Freeport-McMoRan has allocated more than $5.8 million through its Community Investment Fund in Green Valley and Sahuarita. Of this, over $2 million was invested in education and workforce development.
• Matching Donations: Encouraging employee donations to the United Way, Freeport matches these contributions. Over a decade, they’ve matched $4 million in Tucson and Southern Arizona.
• Education Partnerships: Collaborating with Discovery Education, Freeport aims to educate students and families from 6th to 12th grade about the local mining operations, fostering an understanding of their surroundings.

By offering insights into the immense scale of operations, technological advancements, philanthropic efforts, and educational initiatives, the Sierrita mine tour showcased Freeport-McMoRan’s multifaceted contributions to both industry and community development.