Business & Industry
Superior is home to several global and domestic employers, such as Imerys, Omya, Resolution Copper Mine and others.
These companies are part of a growing local employment base.
Imerys
Based in Paris, France, Imerys is a global producer of synthetic graphite powder which goes into lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells applications at industrial scale.
In Superior, the company operates a mining facility, focusing on the extraction and processing of industrial minerals, particularly perlite and kaolin. These minerals are crucial for a variety of applications, including construction, filtration, agriculture and manufacturing. Imerys’ Superior facility plays a significant role in supplying high-quality minerals to meet the demands of these industries.
The company employs advanced mining and processing techniques to ensure efficient and environmentally responsible production.
Omya
Based in Switzerland and founded in 1882, Omya is a global producer of industrial minerals, primarily focused on calcium carbonate and dolomite.
Omya’s operations in Superior involve the extraction and processing of these minerals, which are essential for various applications, including paper, plastics, paints, coatings and construction materials.
The Superior plant is one of Omya’s most technologically advanced facilities and is a key component of Omya’s supply chain in North America, contributing to the company’s ability to meet the demand for high-quality mineral products.
Resolution Copper Mine
Resolution Copper Mine, located near Superior, AZ, is one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in the world.
Jointly owned by Rio Tinto (U.K.) and BHP (Australia), the mine is projected to produce up to 40 billion pounds of copper over its lifetime. The project involves developing an underground mine that will utilize a block caving technique, allowing access to deep ore deposits.
The proposed underground mine, which currently is going through the Federal EIS process, is expected to become the largest copper mine in North America, capable of producing up to 25 percent of U.S. copper demand each year, which is critical to support the global economy. Of all U.S. states, Arizona is the largest exporter of American copper, accounting for more than 60 percent of U.S. exports of this mineral.
Visit the Workforce Training page to learn more about talent development in Superior.