The Five Cs of Arizona: Copper

This article is part of the five Cs of Arizona, which are climate, citrus, cattle, copper, and cotton. Having lived in a copper mining city before, I was no stranger to what might be with Arizona’s copper industry. Something I noticed here, however, that I didn’t in Mongolia, is how much more copper is embraced […]

Copper Tour

I’ve visited the copper mine in Erdenet before, but I never ventured outside the viewing area above the pit, nor have I ever learned much about the mine itself or industry in the city. A few weeks ago, I was able to get a glimpse into a few businesses working with copper in the city. […]

35 Years of Mining in Erdenet

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the opening of the massive copper mine in Erdenet city. How big is it? Well, it’s the third largest copper mine in the world. The influence of the mine can be seen almost everywhere in the city: They have special buses specifically to shuttle workers from the city […]

Mining and the Environment

Mining is a complex issue here in Mongolia. As such, I’ve decided to write a two part series on mining in Mongolia based on my experiences here in country. The first will be on nationalism and how it relates to mining, and the second will be on mining and the impacts on the environment. The […]

Mining and Nationalism

Mine

My dear, the time has come Once more for me to depart, But like all the times before, I shall return with bounties The likes of which no man Or woman on this river Has ever witnessed In fevered dreams While swatting mosquitoes In the stifling night. My dear, what is mine Shall soon be […]

Money Matters

“I wonder if my family Thinks of me much While I am away?” Asked the father To no one in particular In that lunch-time circle. He chewed absently, His true self spirited away To the village on no map That would even have it, Where something was Made from nothing With only his two hands. […]