DescriptionWith Copper being one of the "5 Cs" of Arizona, mining has held a very important place in history, long before Arizona even became a territory. Copper, gold, silver, molybdenum (used in many products, including cast iron and stainless steel), and lead mines have been some of Arizona's top producers over the years. Other materials mined in Arizona include gypsum, peridot, turquoise, and lime. Arizona is not a big producer of oil, though some natural gas and coal have been extracted, as has uranium.
The market need for these materials have led to boomtowns that eventually became ghost townsBrowse TopicBusiness and IndustryLand, Environment, and Natural ResourcesMore InformationArizona Geological Survey