The Conservative Climate Foundation hosted a group of Conservation Climate Caucus Members, staff, and CCF supporters for a Spring Field Tour in Tucson, AZ.
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA SAN XAVIER MINING LABORATORY
The first stop on the field tour was the University of Arizona’s San Xavier Mining Laboratory where we heard from experts about the region’s mining industry. A policy roundtable featured representatives from Resolution Copper, South 32 Hermosa, ASARCO Grupo Mexico, Freeport McMoRan, Sonoran Arizona Copper, and the Arizona Mining Association. They shared with CCF attendees about the importance of domestic mining for national and energy security, local economic impacts, community partnerships, and ongoing sustainability efforts.
We also toured the underground mining lab where students are trained in modern mining practices, geosciences, mine safety, and more. Read more about the San Xavier Mining Laboratory HERE.
FREEPORT MCMORAN SIERRITA MINE
Next, we toured the Freeport McMoRan Sierrita Mine, an open-pit copper and molybdenum mining complex. The Sierrita Mine has created over 4,500 jobs in Arizona, and in 2023, the site’s operations generated almost $561 million in economic benefits for the state. Learn more HERE.
Copper is an element essential to manufacturing clean energy technologies and modernizing the United States’ electric grid, and 68% the copper produced in the U.S. comes from Arizona.
DIMENSIONAL ENERGY TUCSON TECHNOLOGY CENTER
At the Dimensional Energy Tucson Technology Center, we learned how this groundbreaking company is turning industrial emissions into fuels and other products. By converting hydrocarbons into a wax that can be used to create lubricants, sealants, sustainable aviation fuels, and more, Dimensional Energy is putting the “U” in CCUS.
The innovative technologies being perfected at the Tucson site can be utilized by hard-to-decarbonize industries across the country. Take a virtual tour of the Tucson Technology Center HERE.
LUCID MOTORS AMP-1 FACILITY
Finally, we toured the Lucid Motors AMP-1 Facility in Casa Grande, Arizona, where 2,300 employees are working to manufacture award-winning electric vehicles right here in the United States. We visited the general assembly and powertrain facilities to learn how federal policies, including tax credits, are empowering companies like Lucid to continue responsible domestic manufacturing practices and develop technologies that can transcend the EV industry.