Business

Science Foundation Arizona and the state's mining industry have agreed to put up $17.5 million to study ways to make mining in Arizona safer, more productive, sustainable and less harmful to the environment.

The non-profit, public-private partnership awarded an $8.7 million, four-year grant Tuesday to help found the Institute of Mineral Resources at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

It will be matched by a combined $8.8 million contribution by 15 Arizona mining companies.

Officials say the center will gather academic and industry leaders to study the sustainable development of Arizona's vast mineral wealth and explore new technologies in mineral exploration and production.

"This partnership has the potential to transform mining and to create a significant competitive advantage for our state," said William Harris, Science Foundation Arizona's president and chief executive.

The foundation is funded by the Legislature and private industry, and it is charged with helping build a knowledge-based economy in Arizona to position the state for long-term growth.

To date, the foundation has made 59 innovations totaling $33.6 million that have attracted an additional $43.8 million in outside research funds and seeded the development of eight new companies.

The Institute of Mineral Resources will place UA at the forefront of mineral and mining research, drawing top-notch faculty and students to the area, officials said.

"We will be on the leading edge of a global revolution in mining and welcome the world to southern Arizona to learn safer, more sustainable and better mining practices," UA President Robert Shelton said.

The institute will be based in an old underground mine near Tucson that has been converted into a state-of-the-art laboratory.

"Every year, we make a substantial investment in research," said Bruce Marsh, director of sustainable development for Phoenix miner Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc.

"That will be enhanced by the institute's independent mine laboratory."

The institute will be run by Mary Poulton, who heads the school's department of mining and geological engineering.

"Some of the world's biggest mineral deposits are here in Arizona, and they can be managed for long-term economic benefit," Poulton said.

She said the institute intends to launch 20 research projects, which will be funded by individual industry partners, including the use of low-quality water in copper production; decreasing energy consumption in mining operations; using mine sites for alternative energy production; mining-equipment automation; and the health effects of biodiesel on underground miners.

The institute intends to work with Australian safety experts to determine why mines there have a better safety record than those in the U.S. and to collaborate with Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University to study the effects of uranium dust on residents of the Navajo Reservation in northeastern Arizona.

Mining companies contributing to the project include Freeport-McMoRan, Newmont Mining, Resolution Copper, Caterpillar, Rosemont Copper, BHP Billiton, Anglo American, Barrick Gold, Lowell Mineral Exploration, Peabody Energy, Mineral Zone, Quadra Mining and Bronco Creek Exploration.

Reach the reporter at max.jarman@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-7351.