The Queen Mine in Bisbee, Arizona, is a good place to explore copper mining’s 19th-century origins.
One of the best parts of being in Tucson is that we are immersed in mining culture. From the numerous working pits in this state to the excellent academic program at the University of Arizona, this industry pervades our lives in so many positive ways. In some parts of the world, it’s easier to overlook how essential mining is to our everyday lives: not in southern Arizona!
For a reminder of how far mining has come though, drive 90 minutes southeast to the historic town of Bisbee and take a Queen Mine tour. When they began mining copper at Queen Mine in the late 19th century, technology amounted to a pick axe and shovel. No hard hats, no safety vests, and no way out, if blasting went wrong.
It wasn’t until the early 20th century that open pit mines began to appear. Today, a little more than a century later, a lot of our customers are looking to extend their life of mine by going underground once again.
Encouragingly, mines digging deeper again can do so confident of maximizing their productivity and with the protection of proven safety solutions. We now have so many more answers to the question: “How do we make sure everyone gets home safely?” That’s something, we will be celebrating at Expomin in Santiago, Chile, April 23-27, and CIM in Vancouver, May 6-9.
Mining methods have developed significantly from those underground days in southern Arizona, elevating the industry’s role in our greatest achievements and everyday necessities.
Hexagon Mining President, Josh Weiss
Hexagon’s unparalleled portfolio of planning, operations, and safety solutions helps shape present-day mining; the trend towards underground mining, and the convergence of physical and digital technologies – a fourth industrial revolution. I invite you to learn more about how we are shaping smart change in the industry. Please be sure to stop by and visit our team at Expomin, Hall 2 at Booth #J77, and CIM, Booth #1238 .