Every gallon has a job: David’s work in water services
Before anyone can mine copper nearly 7,000 feet underground, someone must move the water.
That’s where David comes in. As Water Services Supervisor at Resolution Copper, David helps oversee the systems that treat water pumped from the mine workings while also supporting the site’s potable water system. It’s work that blends science, troubleshooting and teamwork, all with one goal: keeping water moving safely and putting it to good use.
“At 7,000 feet, there’s water down there,” David says. “You’ve got to get it out in order to mine the copper.”
Every day, water pumped from deep underground arrives at Resolution Copper’s Water Treatment Plant. David’s team filters, cleans and tests the water so it meets required standards before it travels through a 27-mile pipeline to the New Magma Irrigation and Drainage District, where it supports local agriculture.
“If we didn’t do our job here at the water treatment plant, the mine would essentially back up with water,” David says.
Since 2009, Resolution Copper has treated and delivered more than 8 billion gallons of water to local farmers, helping support agriculture while enabling underground mine development.
For David, that’s more than just a process. It’s a responsibility.
Finding better ways to use every drop
Water treatment doesn’t end when the day’s work is done. David’s team is constantly looking for ways to improve the system and reduce waste.
One project he’s especially proud of started with a simple question. Could they save the analyzer water coming from the potable water tanks instead of discharging it?
Working alongside mechanical and electrical teams, David helped design a system that captures the water and routes it back into the potable water tank. The result? Around one million gallons of water saved annually.
“In Arizona, there’s not a lot of water,” David says. “We’ve got to treat it as the precious resource it is.” That mindset shapes every decision the team makes. Whether it’s improving equipment, recycling water within the plant or finding new efficiencies, they’re always looking for ways to make every gallon count.
A side of mining many people never see
When most people picture mining, they imagine haul trucks, drills and heavy equipment. Few imagine a water treatment plant.
“A lot of people don’t realize that in mining there are also water treatment plants that take care of the water,” David says.
Behind the scenes, water services is its own technical trade. Every day brings new challenges. The team collects samples, monitors water quality, troubleshoots equipment and works together to keep the system running reliably.
“There’s a lot of science and technology that goes into treating water,” David says.
It’s work that often goes unnoticed, but it’s essential to keeping the entire operation moving.
Rooted in the Copper Corridor
David grew up in Mammoth, Arizona, and describes himself as a fifth-generation miner.
“Mining is part of our blood, basically,” he says. His father worked on the water side of mining. His uncle worked underground. Now David is building on that legacy in a role that connects his family’s mining history with his passion for Arizona’s natural resources.
Outside of work, you’ll often find him enjoying the outdoors, spending time at the lake or fishing with family and friends. Growing up in Arizona taught him early that water isn’t something to waste. That perspective follows him to work every day.
Looking ahead
For David, the work is about more than treating water. It is about helping build something that will outlast him.
As a fifth-generation miner, he sees Resolution Copper as a way to continue a tradition that has supported Copper Corridor families for generations. He takes pride in working close to home with people who care about the community and the job.
When he thinks about the future, he hopes the project creates the same opportunities for the next generation, including his own children. “It’s a place where my children can work someday,” he says.
Watch David’s story and meet one of the people helping power the future of mining in Arizona.
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