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Photo: Stephanie Salisbury, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Operational since 1881, the Morenci Mine is the largest open pit copper mine in the US and one of the largest in the world. Tours of the working mine provide a fascinating glimpse of the mining process. Visitors are paired with retired miners from the community. Tours last 2.5 hours and depart from the Morenci Motel.
The Morenci Mine is a large copper mine located near Morenci, Arizona, United States. Morenci represents one of the largest copper reserves in the United States and in the world, having estimated reserves of 3.2 billion tonnes (3.5×109 short tons) of ore grading 0.16% copper. It is located in Greenlee County, just outside the company town of Morenci and the town of Clifton. Freeport-McMoRan is the principal owner and, since 2016, Sumitomo Group has owned a 28% interest in the mine.
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This spot provides a unique vantage point for the mining operation.
Limestone Gulch
Limeston Canyon has extensive deposits of agate, red jasper, and rhyolite.
A small museum dedicated to the mining history of Clifton and Morenci.
This steep but short trail leads to a good view of Clifton and the peaks and gulleys of the surrounding area. The trail was constructed as a veterans memorial, with numerous plaques lining the path. Plan on about half an hour for the round trip hike.