Modernization At Magma's San Manuel Underground Mine

Underground copper mining at Magma Copper Company's San Manuel Mine has been un going since 1955. The block caving mine has been producing copper ore at the rate of over 16 million tons per year. Depressed market conditions during the 1980's forced Magma to look at new technology. Late in 1984, Magma began testing new equipment and mining methods at the underground mine at San Manuel, Arizona. The tests resulted in a move towards mechanized production using new procedures and equipment. The goal was to increase efficiency and cut costs through mechanization.