__NOTOC__ The Safford Mine is an open-pit copper mine located in Graham County, Arizona, north of the city of Safford. The mine is owned and operated by Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold.
Construction on the Safford mine began in mid-2006. Production began December 26, 2007, with full production starting in 2008."Safford Mine Tops 5 Million Pounds of Copper in First Month" – Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold It is the first new large-scale copper mining project in Arizona in more than 30 years."Renzi Pleased to See Safford Land Exchange Completed" – Congressman Rick Renzi (AZ – 1) – U.S. House of Representatives (c/o House.gov) – September 20, 2005 In September 2005, as part of the deal, Phelps Dodge (which was subsequently purchased by Freeport-McMoran) transferred of "environmentally sensitive" land to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and purchased from the BLM located next to the site of the mine.Stockton, Lindsey. "Officials glad land exchange is complete" – Eastern Arizona Courier – September 28, 2005
The mine composes two porphyry copper deposits (the San Juan and Dos Pobres copper ore bodies) that have leachable oxide and secondary sulfide mineralization. Freeport-McMoran estimates that it will remove 205 to 240 million pounds of copper from the deposits annually between 2008 and 2011.Safford Mine – Freeport-McMoRan
In 2016, copper production at Safford was 230 million pounds. In 2017, copper production was 150 million pounds, and approximately 830 people were employed there.Safford Mine at Freeport-McMoRan. Accessed 6/23/2018.
Geography and facilities The area where the mine is located is at an average elevation of .
The mine is served by a branch of the Arizona Eastern Railway.
See also Copper mining in Arizona
References
External links Safford Mine information – Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold