The first ore taken from the Morenci Mine was 80 per cent pure. The above photo was taken during the 1980’s Bust Cycle when everyone was fired and equipment idled waiting for favorable copper prices. Rosemont Mine projects it will spend $900 million to build the Rosemont Complex and that is the same $900 million that will be required to clean up Clifton/Morenci after 162 years of toxic hardrock mining. Phelps Dodge was ordered to spend $1million to clean up the smelter in El Paso, opponents of the settlement say PD got off for pennies on the dollar. Not a penny goes across the border to folks downwind for 162 years.
Does anyone really think Rosemont will be around when cleanup is needed. They will sell the property to someone who immediately will go bankrupt and the taxpayer will pay for their mess.