BISBEE — To determine if there is a sufficient amount of copper in the hills that would make it economically feasible to resume mining, Freeport McMoRan Inc.’s Copper Queen Branch will be conducting tests east of the Lavender Pit in Jones Canyon.
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Peterson said there was some blasting in the area in order to construct a temporary road for the drilling equipment. This may continue as the drilling progresses.
“I don’t think it will be a bother to the residents,” he said.
There may be times of the day when traffic along Highway 80 is closed due to blasting. Any delays should be brief.
As for the resumption of mining, that will be a decision made toward the end of the year or in 2009, he added.
The company also is considering plans to re-route Highway 80 across the Mule Mountains southwest to south Bisbee and Highway 92, Peterson said. Freeport McMoRan also is buying land and buildings in Lowell that will be used to access the Lavender Pit.
“If mining resumes, or even if it doesn’t, we will have a long-term presence in Bisbee,” Peterson added.
On May 1, construction on a 4.4-mile pipeline will begin to pump water from the tailings pond south of Bisbee and to the east of Naco. The pipeline will run to the Lavender Pit where the water will be dumped. Peterson expected the above-ground pipeline to be completed in three weeks.
Once the water is removed, reclamation work can commence.
“That will be a big project,” Peterson said.
Though Freeport McMoRan has plans to open a community relations office in the Convention Center on the second floor, Peterson said the office was not yet ready.
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