Description: Safford is an open-pit copper mining complex.  

Did you know? The Safford mine is a zero-discharge facility and one of the most environmentally advanced copper mines ever built. The new sulphur burner at Safford, which was completed in 2011, is providing a more cost-effective source of sulphuric acid used in SX/EW operations and lower transportation costs.

Location:  Southeast Arizona, 170 miles east of Phoenix.

Ores: The Safford mine consists of two copper deposits that have oxide mineralization overlaying primary copper sulfide mineralization. The predominant oxide copper minerals are chrysocolla and copper-bearing iron oxides with the predominant copper sulfide material  being chalcopyrite.

Processes and facilities: Safford is a mine-for-leach operation and produces copper cathodes. The operation consists of two open pits feeding a crushing facility with a capacity of 103,000 metric tons-per-day. The crushed ore is delivered to a single leach pad by a series of overland and portable conveyors. Leach solutions feed an SX/EW facility. The Safford operations also include a sulphur burner.

Background: The Safford mine has been in operation since 2007, with full production beginning in 2008.

Ownership: 100% FCX.

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