“Deal the Cards for Another 100 Years”: The Clean Air Act and Copper Mining in Superior, Arizona”

• In Event: Mining for the Future: Communities of Extraction Seeking Hope in Their Pasts

Abstract

The Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1970 represented a pivotal milestone in the United States' efforts to combat air pollution and improve public health. One consequence of this legislation was the closure of the copper smelter at the Magma Mine in Superior, Arizona, which impacted the mine's employees and the local economy. The copper smelter in Superior was the first smelter to close in Arizona due to the CAA and contributed to closure of the mine a decade later. While the CAA successfully improved air quality in the region, it also raised production costs, leading to job losses and economic hardship for the affected workers. This study examines the specific impact of the CAA for the Magma Mine and its employees in Superior, Arizona.
The closure of the copper smelter at the Magma Mine significantly improved air quality in the surrounding area. The reduction in harmful pollutants contributed to enhanced public health and environmental well-being. However, the closure of the smelter resulted in the displacement of numerous employees and a decline in economic activity in the region. The increased costs of compliance with the CAA, forced the Magma Mine to choose between spending millions of dollars to upgrade their smelter, or increasing production costs, by shutting down their smelter and shipping the mineral to another facility for smelting. The company chose to close its smelter, raising production costs, and laying off most of its smelter workers. The closure of the smelter contributed to the shutdown of the mine, leaving residents to wonder what life would look like in Superior in 100 years. This paper highlights the importance of considering both the environmental and socio-economic dimensions when formulating and implementing environmental regulations. It underscores the need for proactive measures to mitigate the potential negative effects on affected communities.

Author

• Hailey Doucette, University of Kansas