REFERENCE TITLE: supporting; hardrock mining

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

2021

SCR 1011

Introduced by

Senator Kerr

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

recognizing the importance of the hardrock mining industry to arizona's economic well-being.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Whereas, hardrock mining has played a central role in the development of Arizona's economy since before statehood; and

Whereas, copper produced from hardrock mining is one of the "Five C's" that established Arizona's economy and continues to provide quality jobs for Arizona residents; and

Whereas, copper and other minerals produced through the hardrock mining process are critical to developing and manufacturing low-carbon energy sources, including PV cells, wind turbines, electric vehicles, medical equipment and battery storage; and

Whereas, each 3MW wind turbine requires approximately 4.7 tons of copper to produce reliable low-carbon energy; and

Whereas, PV cell production accounts for seven percent of global silver demand; and

Whereas, the World Bank estimates that in the next twenty-five years the world will need 550 million tons of copper, which is equal to all the copper produced in the previous five thousand years, to meet low-carbon energy demands; and

Whereas, according to the United States Geological Survey, Arizona was second in the nation in the value of 2018 nonfuel mineral production, which includes sand and gravel, cement and crushed stone as well as copper and other minerals such as molybdenum, lead, zinc, gold, silver, coal and uranium; and

Whereas, Arizona has been the nation's top producer of copper for more than a century, delivering two-thirds of United States copper exports and sixty-eight percent of the nation's copper; and

Whereas, mining activity and employment opportunities are distributed widely throughout the state and provide economic benefits for every Arizona county; and

Whereas, the hardrock mining industry is Arizona's second largest industry by economic impact, directly and indirectly employing more than 38,900 individuals with an average income higher than Arizona's median wage in 2018 who are a part of the success of the mining industry; and

Whereas, in 2018, the hardrock mining industry directly and indirectly generated $370 million in state and local tax revenues, creating a total economic impact of $11.4 billion; and

Whereas, to ensure that mining operations are safe for employees, communities and the environment, the hardrock mining industry is regulated by a combination of state and federal agencies, including the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Arizona State Mine Inspector's Office and the United States Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the Members of the Legislature recognize the importance of the hardrock mining industry to Arizona's economy and support the involvement of Arizona's government and the hardrock mining industry in any future regulatory changes to ensure that operations continue to be safe and productive for the State of Arizona.