ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center

• Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, closed major holidays.
• Reservations: Not required
• Cost: Fee charged
• Location: South of Tucson, driving directions below.
• How Long: Tours last one hour, add another 30 minutes to see the exhibits
• Best Time to Visit: Any time
• See It Now: Photo Tour

ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center

Beneath Arizona's surface lies so much copper ore that the state provides almost two-thirds of all copper mined in the United States. At the ASARCO facility south of Tucson, you can get a peek at the workings of one of its active, open-pit copper mines, the only such tour in the state.

Guided bus tours, hosted by drivers who once worked at the mine describe its workings and relate the company's efforts at rehabilitating the old mine tailings.

While watching people dig rocks out of the ground doesn't sound very interesting, the mine pit's sheer size fascinates visitors. The tour makes its first stop at an observation area where 1,500 feet below, giant mechanical shovels load trucks with hundreds of tons of rock and ore in just three scoops. Near the observation area, a single truck tire stands twelve feet tall. Removed from use because of irreparable damage, the tire illustrates the size of the vehicles used in the pit below.

The tour's second stop visits a mill, where copper-bearing rock is crushed to less than two-inch diameter and processed to produce a dark gray powder that is 90% copper.

You'll get the most out of the tour if you arrive at the center in time to view the displays before you go out in the bus.

The gift shop sells bottled water, but no food is available here.

Getting to ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center

ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center
1421 W. Pima Mine Road
Sahaurita, AZ
520-625-7513
Website

Exit I-19 south of Tucson at Exit 80/Pima Mine Road and follow the signs. Turn west at the end of the exit ramp, and then make an immediate left over the railroad tracks.

If You Liked ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center, You May Also Like:

• Queen Mine, Bisbee, Arizona: Get decked out in miner's gear and explore an underground copper mine.