Skip to main content

Morenci Open Pit Copper Mine, eastern Arizona

Morenci Open Pit Copper Mine, eastern Arizona

The Morenci copper mine, operated continuously since the 1880s, is Arizona's most productive copper prospect. It transitioned from an underground mine to one of the world's largest open pit mines. Morenci is the flagship of the Freeport-McMoRan mining company. For a detailed history of the Morenci mine, see Dave Briggs' 72 page contributed report, which includes images, maps, and production numbers.  https://library.azgs.arizona.edu/item/AGCR-1552428401381-769

Photographer: Mike Conway

Photo Date: circa 2017