Copper could be the solution for displaced coal miners on the Navajo Reservation

With the impending closure of the Navajo Generating Station coal-fired power plant near Page in December 2019, hundreds of power plant workers and coal miners will need new jobs.

Arizona's copper mines could offer them opportunity.

Thanks to rebounding copper prices, copper mines across Arizona have hundreds of job openings today. The major companies, Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Resolution Copper and Asarco, all said they would be interested in hiring displaced workers from Peabody Energy's Kayenta Mine should it close.

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"Increasing copper prices, from $2 in January 2015 to $3.20 in February, has driven increased production and exploration, and additional employment is sure to follow," said Steve Trussell, executive director of the Arizona Mining Association.

"Growth in the U.S. and global economies powers mineral exploration and mining in Arizona."

Arizona is ranked the No. 1 state in copper production and No. 5 for sand and gravel production, he said. In addition to copper, he said gold and other mines in the state are expanding, offering job opportunities.

Miners not relocating -- yet

Before SRP started to wind down operations at the coal plant and relocate workers a year ago, there were 430 people employed at the power plant and 325 workers at the Kayenta Mine about 80 miles away. The mine's only customer is the power plant.

SRP has left vacant positions open at the plant and relocated workers to other power facilities it runs, when possible. So far, Peabody is not working to find new jobs for miners, focusing instead trying to find new owners for the power plant so the mine can also remain open.

The mine continues to supply the power plant and requires a full staff until the day comes when the plant no longer buys its coal.

The uptick in copper prices could offer an opportunity for miners willing to relocate. Kayenta Mine straddles Navajo and Hopi land, and most of the workers are members of those tribes who have said they prefer to live in Northern Arizona.

RELATED: When this mine closes, it will cut off a lifeline for Native Americans

None of the copper mines are near the mine or power plant, but few other economic opportunities exist on the reservations either, meaning any displaced workers are likely going to have to move to find work.

Charlene Murdock, Peabody Energy spokeswoman, said the company is taking "all possible steps to keep the plant online well beyond 2019," and that 15 unidentified companies have expressed interest in taking it over.

READ MORE: New congressman doesn't want to lose 1,000 jobs at Navajo Generating Station

It is unclear if all 15 companies that signed nondisclosure agreements to review the power plant's finances still are interested in purchasing the power plant.

"In the event of premature plant closure, Peabody would offer priority job placement at our operations, which is a customary practice," Murdock said.

Peabody has mines in New Mexico and Colorado.

Salt River Project runs the power plant for the owners, including three other electric companies that voted to close the plant by 2020 because natural gas is a cheaper way for them to make electricity.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation also owns a stake in the plant and prefers to keep it open but has not arrived at a way to do that.

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Copper prices rising, Freeport-McMoRan hiring

Copper is trading for about $3 a pound. It was up near $4.50 a pound in 2011, but fell to about $2 in 2016. With current prices, Arizona mines are hiring to increase production. When prices are low, they tend to reduce staffing and production.

Phoenix-based Freeport-McMoRan Inc. is one of the largest copper mining companies in the world, and it operates the state's largest mine, Morenci, in eastern Arizona, in addition to mines in Badgad, Sierrita, Miami and Safford.

It also has a smelter near Globe.

Bagdad is about a five-hour drive from Kayenta, as is Miami. Morenci, Sierrita and Safford are about a seven hours from Kayenta.

"Freeport-McMoRan is actively recruiting for a full spectrum of positions at its Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado mining operations throughout western U.S. regions that have pools of experienced mining personnel, including those with coal mining experience in the Four Corners area," spokesman Eric Kinneberg said.

Among the 137 Arizona jobs posted at www.fcx.com/careers are shovel mechanics, electricians, diesel repair workers and welders, in addition to office jobs such as benefit analysts and inventory controllers.

Freeport is moving ahead on an $850 million expansion of its Safford mine 170 miles east of Phoenix. The new Lone Star development at the mine is expected to begin producing copper in 2020 and has 20 years of reserves, according to the company's recent earnings report to shareholders.

As that project progresses it will need more workers.

Major mine just outside of Phoenix area

Just outside of Phoenix near Superior, Resolution Copper is working to develop one of the largest copper mines in the world. While the project still is in the permitting stages, about 440 workers are on site preparing the mine for production.

Superior is about five and a half hours drive from Kayenta, though it's less than an hour from the East Valley, allowing workers to live in the Phoenix metro area.

Resolution already has dug one shaft 28 feet around and nearly 7,000 feet deep. A second shaft to that depth with a connection between them is underway, according to Rio Tinto, the majority owner.

For the second shaft, Resolution is repurposing a shaft from the historic Magma Mine on the site, and making that shaft 2,000 feet deeper, a project that requires significant manpower.

That project is expected to be completed in 2021, about the time it will take for the mine to acquire a permit from the U.S. Forest Service.

"While Resolution Copper is still in the U.S. Forest Service’s permitting process, we are continuing to invest in infrastructure upgrades that facilitate underground studies and improve safety," spokesman Kyle Bennett said.

"There are a number of roles currently posted on the Resolution web site, and we always look for experienced, skilled workers from the local community to fill open roles."

Asarco also interested in coal miners

Tucson-based Asarco, owned by Mexican conglomerate Grupo Mexico, runs the Mission, Silver Bell and Ray copper mines in Arizona, and like Freeport, it also runs a smelter.

All of the Asarco properties are more than six hours from Kayenta.

RELATED: Arizona copper smelters clean up emissions

"We are interested in procuring any potential quality employees from Kayenta or Navajo," General Manager Joseph Wilhelm said.

Among the 64 positions open at its Arizona properties listed at www.asarco.com/job-opportunities are welders, laborers, machinists and electricians.

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