This Mine in Arizona Will Take You on a Trip Down Memory Lane

By David Clarke 2 min read

In Arizona, mining has had a long and storied history. Not only did the mining in the state help the state grow and mature to what it has become today, but it also helped America become what it is today.

In fact, the mining trade in Arizona has been noted as being a possible catalyst behind the huge increase in the population of the country in the 19th century. Some of the most sought after and important minerals like gold, copper, and uranium can all be mined there.

And while various political and other issues have come up recently, there is no doubting that the mining trade has a huge history in the state. There is also some questions about the ethics in the industry.

But have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be an Arizona miner at the height of the industry? If you have, you’re in luck. There are a number of different mines in the state (both open and closed) which can be viewed on a tour. However, one place sticks out above all the rest.

And that place is called the Copper Queen Mine. The first mining claim at the location came in 1877 and once the mine closed in 1975, it was worth over $6 Billion. And while that is a lot of money, mining work is no easy task.

It was often extremely dangerous and hard work with long hours. In fact, in the early 20th century, thousands of workers went on strike for better pay and a better work atmosphere, which the companies of the time really didn’t like.

There is a few reasons that Copper Queen is one of the best mines to take a tour of. First, the tour is actually led by former miners who really know their stuff. The miners guide you on a journey 1500 feet into the mountain, a journey that includes a ton of narrow and very dark tunnels.

The miners will take you through what it was like to be a miner back in those days and tell you just how hard of a job it was. While they helped unearth billions of dollars of metals, miners still don’t often get the respect they deserve. Here is a great little video talking about the tour: