An Unincorporated Town 2019-2023 Project Statement
"What came to mind for the reporter was how wild animals, such as the big horns, live in what certainly appears to be a peaceful coexistence with the giant mine." Walt Mares, Gila Valley Central News
A typical load of copper cathodes being shipped out of the mine. Contracted truckers are instructed to cover the copper with tarps for security and driver safety.
The first clear view of Morenci Mine traveling South on US-191, the Coronado Trail- photographed from the Forest Trail 13 trailhead in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Abandoned drive-in at Three Way, approaching Morenci from the South.
Morenci mine rising above the San Francisco River Valley
Markeen Mountain rising above Morenci open pit mine
Haul trucks approaching the Santa Rosa Gulch, the western edge of the mine
"Down in the hole" section of Freeport-McMoran Morenci housing
“Copper Verde” Freeport-McMoran home facade and lawn #1
“Copper Verde” Freeport-McMoran home facade and lawn #2
The end of Wildcat Drive, "Down in the hole" section of Freeport-McMoran Morenci Housing
South Clifton is directly east and lower in elevation than Morenci, and is the county seat of Greenlee County.
"Copper Verde" section of Freeport-McMoran Morenci housing
"Copper Verde" Freeport-McMoran Morenci housing with the town of Clifton and Mulligan Peak in the background
Pit of the Morenci Mine from US-191
Freeport-McMoran Morenci Housing- intersection of Copper Verde Lane and Shannon Road
The Park Avenue neighborhood of Clifton, and the San Francisco River.
Morenci Open Pit Mine, photographed from the US-191 shoulder
Stone wall constructed with "fire rocks," material from the mine that if caught removing would get you fired. Shannon Hill neighborhood of Clifton.
Unidentified park with baseball field and Red Canyon, Clifton AZ. Clifton is adjacent to Morenci, and together are considered to be an economic unit by the Arizona Department of Commerce.
Community photography exhibition winning entry, hosted by the Art Depot of Clifton.
"Scenic View" area off US-191
Backyards in the East Plantsite section of company housing
Freeport-McMoRan training facility housed in a former Clifton school. Clifton residents now all attend the Morenci Unified School Distract.
Haul truck cab at the Freeport-McMoRan training facility.
"Copper Verde" Freeport-McMoran Morenci home rear yards
Morenci Mine tailings, leftover materials after the process of separating the copper
Gila Street homes on the edge of Morenci housing, adjacent to tailings operations
Muscle and luxury cars, parked at a Freeport-McMoran Morenci Home. The phrase "Morenci Rich" was used to describe a phenomena of excess spending given the high wages and low cost of living for mine workers.
Monday night bingo, Chase Creek section of Clifton.
Wrecked cars near the "Copper Verde" neighborhood
US-191 and Morenci Mine - Clifton, AZ
Adorned Yuma Street Home. Considering all homes are rentals, modification seems quite common.
Copper Mountain's peak remains intact above the mined lower flanks
Yucca Avenue yard, mine tailings in the background
Loma Linda Park in Clifton, AZ. Loma Linda is one of a few small communities nearby to the mine, with privately-owned housing outside of the company town model.
Markeen Road Freeport-McMoran Morenci homes. A cul-de-sac atop an isolated ridge, numerous residents named this "Snob Hill," declaring these residences housed top executives.
Ironwood Road home, a section of the Freeport-McMoRan Morenci housing described by residents as available only for higher level employees
East Plantsite Freeport-McMoRan Morenci home. Assignment of a brick-constructed home signified elevated employment status during this era of growth.
Longfellow Apartments appear to be studio apartments to house workers without families. Morenci mine tailings visible in the background.
Studio apartment Freeport-McMoRan Morenci housing located in the Bashas Shopping Center parking lot
Common in Morenci foiled-windows to block the Arizona sun. Freeport-McMoran operates the mine 24/7, necessitating shift work. Home Owners Associations (HOAs) often ban such window treatments.
Two gun event hosted at the Table Top Shooting Range in Clifton.
Verde Lee neighborhood of Clifton, AZ. Verde Lee is one of a few small communities nearby to the mine, with privately-owned housing outside of the company town model. The mountain cut appears tied to efforts carving out a few new housing lots.
Tire swing and wild arugula growing along the banks of the Gila river in adjacent Clifton, AZ
12 foot diameter Bridgestone Mining Dump Truck Radial Tire on display at the "Scenic View" area.
Morenci Open Pit Mine, photographed from the US-191 shoulder.
Clifton Town Cemetery with Morenci Mine Operations in the background.
Sacred Heart Cemetery located on Freeport-McMoran land.
R&R Pizza Express in the Morenci Plaza.
Side-by-sides are street legal in Morenci. "Copper Verde" Freeport-McMoran Morenci cul-de-sac.
"Copper Verde" Freeport-McMoran Morenci Homes, built with modular construction. A resident suggested this type of fabrication suited a likely scenario where the neighborhood would be moved elsewhere, to allow mining in this location.
Copper concentrating plant of the Freeport-McMoRan mining cooperation.
Sheet metal cactus corners on a South Clifton home.
Bashas' Supermarket Hwy-191 & Burro Alley.
The Morenci Conoco is operated by Freeport-McMoRan employees. Traveling through Arizona, at the time this was the lowest observed fuel price in the state, suggesting a Freeport McMoRan subsidy.
Poplar Street home, East Plantsite neighborhood. The construction dumpster signifies ongoing renovations, which the contractors described as typical after an extended employee lease. Freeport-McMoRan housing is only available to current employees, so retirees must exit the community.
Trampolines in Wildcat Drive backyards.
Morenci Mine, tailings, and Freeport-McMoran company housing. Sunrise vantage from Table Top Gun Range.
Mulligan Peak, located on National Forest lands, stands tall just east of Morenci Mine.
Red Canyon cliffs in adjacent Clifton, AZ.
A portion of neighboring Clifton appears to built upon slag, a byproduct of the copper smelting process. In 1984, owned by Phelps-Dodge at the time, the Morenci Mine abandoned smelting at this site and has since been shipping its copper concentrates to its smelter in Chino, New Mexico.
RV storage for Freeport-McMoRan employees. With heavily subsided rentals, published rates ranging from $200/month for a 1 bedroom apartment, to $500/month for a 4 bedroom modular home, employees may enjoy comparatively less of their wages devoted to primary housing.
116 Ash Street mailbox
Morenci from the summit of Mulligan Peak. There is no trail or road to aide the difficult climb up the 5612' peak, and a sparsely signed summit register. A plaque was installed reading "The Hike of Champions, Morenci High School Wrestlers, 2004/2005.”
Sacred Heart Parish Center in Chase Creek, Clifton.
Holy Cross Catholic Church above Turquoise and Tenorite Road Communities
Morenci layers. Mine operations on top. Commercial sector with a supermarket, motel, and bowling alley in the middle. "Down in the hole" section of Freeport-McMoran Morenci Housing below.