One of the 5 most read business stories in the New York Times this morning is "Copper's Every Dip Is Felt In Arizona," by John Collins Rudolf, who also writes for the local online newspaper, the Zonie Report.
It focuses on the economic impact of the sudden and large drop in copper prices on the people who mine and live in Morenci. Coupled with the financial credit crisis, there is a sense of uncertainty and anxiety that was completely unexpected just a few months ago.
Good photos and video in the article as well. The video is much more upbeat, talking mostly about the copper 'boom' until nearly the end. It looks like it was produced before price collapse hit. [right, Morenci mine. My photo, May 2008]