Mining Internship Helps Students Give Back to the Community

It's no secret mining has a rich history in Arizona, but for some University of Arizona students, it goes deeper than that. Electrical engineering student Cameron Sexton is the fifth generation in his family interested in mining, and now the third generation to be involved with Freeport-McMoRan. Not only that, but it's his second time participating in the company's summer internship, which gives college students the opportunity to learn and work with Freeport-McMoRan.

Green Valley News recently featured an article on Sexton, who is both learning about mining and giving back to the community through the internship.

“I actually grew up in one of our sites for 15 years, the Morenci operations site,” he said in the article. “My dad grew up there his whole life, his dad grew up there his whole life, his dad….so especially on my dad’s side of the family it's always kind of been in our blood and I always knew as a kid I wanted to do engineering. "

Not only is Sexton working hands-on in the Sierrita Mine in Green Valley, he also volunteered at the Sahuarita Food Bank and Community Resource Center. 

"We believe it is important for interns to understand the company’s commitment to social performance, and volunteering allows them to experience one element of community engagement first hand by working with community partners, lending time and talent, and understanding the collaboration needed between the company and the communities in which we operate," said Jessica Brack-Merrill, manager of social responsibility for Freeport.

The company's internships are open to full-time college students and four-year universities, or recent graduates, and generally run from May to August.