4 C's

We had Rod Pace the CEO of Rosemont Copper on KVOI this morning. Rod does not hype the project; he just gives the facts and acknowledges that there are people that oppose the mine. I really did not have a strong opinion about Rosemont Copper until recently. What convinced me to support the mine are three things:

1. Jobs – Rosemont Copper will employ hundreds of people from Southern Arizona. Mine jobs pay an average of $60,000 per year. Instead of focusing on raising the minimum wage, why not attract jobs that actually pay a good wage?
2. Copper – We need copper and the other metals that will come out of Rosemont. A hybrid car has about 100 pounds of copper under the hood. And green technology (solar panels, wind turbines etc.) use a lot of copper.
3. U.S. made – The technology and the regulation of the mining industry are much better in America than it is in Africa or South America. Those that are concerned about the environment and safety shouldn’t limit their concern to their own back yard. Do you remember when we discovered that clothing was being manufactured in sweat shops overseas with child labor? I think it is better to mine in the U.S.A where we can control it than closing our eyes to mining in third world countries.

Arizona used to be known for the 4 C’s; copper, cattle, cotton and climate. 60% of the copper mined in the U.S comes from Arizona. This is both a blessing and a curse. When you see the ugly open pit mines in Green Valley and Bisbee you assume that Rosemont will be another eye sore. The new technology will allow a much smaller footprint and the restoration of vegetation on the landscape and environment. In 4 years you won’t be able to distinguish the mine from the surrounding area. Just like our insatiable appetite for illegal drugs fuels the crime below our border and the trespassing of our border, our importing of copper fuels overseas operations that are unsafe and environmentally unsound. Hundreds of high paying jobs, millions of dollars spent locally and millions more in tax revenue, a safe and environmentally sound operation that will supply 10% of the copper for America. What’s not to like?