Arizona State Mine Inspector Joe Hart says new copper mines proposed or under development could add another $3 billion to copper's already large economic impacts in the state.
Joe's comments follow release of the annual report on copper by the Western Economic Analysis Center, which showed direct economic contributions from copper production in 2007 of $3.2 billion, and $6.84 billion when the multiplier was factored in. Joe referred to new mines in various stages in Superior and Safford, and Pima County as sources of the added production.