About Superior

Located in Pinal County, Arizona, about 65 miles southeast of Phoenix and 97 miles from Tucson, Superior is considered one of Arizona's principal mining towns and one of the most prolific copper-producing regions in the United States.

The Town of Superior and its surrounding Copper Triangle have a history of mining dating back to the early 1900s. However, since a decline in copper prices forced the town's largest employer, the Magma Copper Company, to close its operations in 1996, mining activity in the region has been minimal. As a result, the population of Superior has fallen and the area has experienced a significant economic downturn.

Hard times have not hardened the spirit of this small-town, close-knit community. The town is rich with historical landmarks and is a cinematic treasure for Hollywood filmmakers. The locals are proud of their town's cameos in films such as How the West Was Won, The Prophecy, U-Turn and The Fugitive.

Superior's landscapes make it a nature lover's paradise. Recreationalists, birders, bikers and hikers find beauty and mystery in the enclaves of Devil's Canyon, Queen Creek Canyon, and on the Arizona Trail. A major focus for Superior is to build the area as a hub for eco-tourism, an effort that is supported by government agencies and private companies including Resolution Copper.

Despite the potential wealth the Resolution Project could bring to the area, the company, in partnership with its community stakeholders including local government, is working to avoid creating the type of dependency that led to the town's decline a decade ago. Regional economic diversification is a top priority.