Copper mining in the southwestern States has a long history and many ups and downs from fluctuating prices for their products. One of the legacies of these endeavors is the common practice of open-pit mining which leaves a significant hole in the earth. The technology behind this type of mining is nothing more than removing the covering soil layers, dynamite the ore deposits and than shovel the ore into transport vehicles and then keeping digging downward. So how does high technology fit into the future of copper ore mining? 

I recently visited Resolution Mines in Superior Arizona as a member of team to talk with them about potential sponsorship for a High School High Technology Workshop. In the discussions the Mine representatives talked about new mine and how when it starts operation in 2015 they will be using technology that has yet to be developed and it will rely heavily on robotic equipment for most of the work tasks. 

The new mine in Superior AZ is one of the largest untapped copper ore deposits in the world, with enough ore to sustain mining efforts for over fifty years. What makes this endeavor unique is that the ore will be taken from below the ore deposit and using gravity and the weight of the land it sits under to push the ore down through carefully developed upward shafts. This means the ore removal will take place approximately 7,000 feet below the surface where there are temperature and ground pressure issues. 

They stated that the majority of the work will be done via autonomous robotic ore drillers, ore removal equipment, and ore transport vehicles. They will be controlled most likely from the outside the mine and will need minimal human interactions. All of these high technology vehicles are not even on the drawing board as I write this article, but they know they will be using the most state of the art and high technology equipment available to make this mine safe with sustainable production and with the environment above and below clean. See this web link for more information: http://www.resolutioncopper.com/res/whoweare/1.html 

Tom McGlew