On Friday, June 14, women in mining from all over Arizona came together to take in all that Freeport Morenci operations has to offer. With over thirty-eight women in attendance, Martha Lujan, manager of the social performance group, hosted a tour of North America’s largest open pit mine.
The women arrived in Morenci, around 9AM, and after a safety de-brief were whisked off straight to the mine side, where they were greeted by Gary Anderson, manager of support services on the mine side, and Timothy Wood, project manager. They provided details on the mine’s day to day operations, and data on tonnage moved.
From here the women were taken to the Silver Basin lookout to discuss Leach to the Last Drop, and the use of our thermal covers to increase retention of copper. Leach to the Last Drop is the cutting edge of copper recovery.
A brief break was taken for lunch, served back at the Morenci Lounge. Women were able to socialize and share their background in various areas of mining. For most of the women that attended the tour admitted that this was their first time ever seeing a mining operation. Claire Palmer, chief engineering specialists wrapped up lunch with a talk about her time with the company.
The tours last stop was to the SX plants where women were given copper shavings from cathodes. Women were also able to see the cathodes being bundled and ready for shipment.
Martha Lujan thanked everyone for coming out, and most importantly Heather Seegmiller and Trish Dominguez, the senior admins who helped bring all the finer details together and making the event such a success.
Jessamyn Messick showing another woman in mining parts of the mining operation.
A group photo of the women at the Morenci lookout on highway 191.