Mining boom in AZ is busted crashing economies
Abandoned 'business district' in mining town Clifton AZ.MORENCI AZ -- Based on a proven track record since the 1800's, mining in the American west is often accurately described as 'boom and bust'.
Right now, big mining corporations are again hurting people and towns with massive job cuts. The mining 'boom' we hear now is crashing local economies as mining goes 'bust' again, after leaving communities with a new round of land destruction and pollution.
Were a similar percentage of Freeport-McMoRan's (FCX) high paid executives and white-collar workers laid off at the corporation's deluxe HQ, as were blue-collar workers sacked at the mines? Doubt it.
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Not to mention that the loss of the ancillary jobs created by the boom (restaurants, service stations, stores, etc). The state's economy, already hit by declining revenue will be hit even harder by the loss of the income taxes from these workers (mines tend to pay a pretty good wage).
I strongly oppose the Rosemont mine, (and the drop in copper prices may help keep it from becoming reality) but I worry about a steep decline in mining in Arizona. It plays to big a role in the Arizona economy to die.